Cynthia Cassel

Cynthia Louise (Kostenbader) Cassel, 53, of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, died on Saturday, June 22, 2019 from pancreatic cancer. She was diagnosed in October 2017 and fought the disease with great effort and grace.

She was a first grade teacher, most recently at the Eagleville Elementary School in the Methacton School District, where she was loved by many. Cindy’s involvement spread beyond her classroom activities, initiating a backpack program for children needing weekend food support. This program has now spread throughout the district. She also enjoyed playing violin with the students at the school seasonal concerts and helping second grade students that did not have defined family arrangements with their “Flat Stanley” project. Cindy loved teaching reading.

Mrs. Cassel was a graduate of Methacton High School, class of 1984. She attended Millersville University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1988. Her Master’s degree in Education was achieved from Cabrini University in 1998.

Cindy was an active member of the New Hanover United Methodist Church, where she played violin in the church orchestra, crocheted blankets and shawls for the Prayer Shawl ministry, ushered and greeted, and participated in Women’s and Life Group programs. As her health failed, she received care from the church’s Stephen Ministry program. Cindy had previously been a member of the Paoli United Methodist Church and attended St. Andrews Evangelical Lutheran Church in Audubon, PA.

Cindy was a life member of the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), having judged over 100 contests as a Master Judge over the eastern two-thirds of the country. She very much enjoyed the friendships made among cook teams, contest organizers and representatives and other judges formed during several years on the barbecue trail.

While marrying later in life did not allow for having children, Cindy very much loved her family. She is survived by husband Mark, whom she met on eHarmony and married in July 2007; parents Robert and Patricia, of Reading, PA; brother Rob, sister-in-law Rebecca, nieces Sabrina, Brianna and Sierra, and nephew Dylan, all of Salvisa, KY.

Cindy was thankful for all the medical support she gained through her battle with pancreatic cancer at Main Line Health, including the Cancer Center at Paoli Hospital, Jefferson and Penn. Her final days were spent at the Penn Medicine Hospice in West Chester, where she passed.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at New Hanover United Methodist Church, 2211 Swamp Pike, Gilbertsville, PA 19525. Friends can call between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m., with services beginning at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made in memory of Cynthia Cassel to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, www.pancan.org, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Online condolences may be offered at www.mannslonakerfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Mann-Slonaker Funeral Home, East Greenville, PA.