Cassandra Dean Christie, 61 was born in Clermont, Florida on December 7, 1956. She passed peacefully out of this life on March 5, 2018 at her home in Tampa Florida, surrounded by love.

An exquisitely beautiful woman who was also a wonderful mother and homemaker, Cassandra attended Mercer University and the Florida State University before meeting her husband Kevin Christie in Tallahassee Florida in 1983. She spent the next 34 years supporting his military career and conducting volunteer work to assist soldiers and their families. Cassandra periodically worked as a counter manager for luxury cosmetics and fragrances; she was repeatedly asked to take permanent positions, but she always chose to put her family first and move to the next assignment.   Cassandra loved travelling the globe through multiple overseas tours; she lived for years in places others only dream of visiting, and spent days wandering through some of the most beautiful places on earth.  Whether dining in Paris, skiing in Austria, or lounging on the beach in Hawaii, Cassandra was happiest travelling. At home, when not ensuring every pillow was straightened and every floor was spotless, Cassandra was content to stay tucked in bed reading mystery novels and watching old black and white movies. Cassandra was justly famous for her fastidiousness, but she also enjoyed watching football with a bowl of chicken wings, getting her hands dirty tending plants, and she was known to have a glass or two of her favorite prosecco at pretty much any time of day.

Her husband fell head over heels for "Sand" at the first time they met, and he adored her from that moment until her last breath.

Cassandra was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Alexandra Johnson. She is survived by her husband, Kevin "Duke" Christie, Tampa, her loving Mother Carrie Dean, Clermont, father Billie Dean (Isadora) Apopka,

and siblings Sabrina Brockenberry, Kimberly Dean, Clermont,  Kitrina Henderson (Norris), Woodbridge, VA and Ryan Dean, Orlando

The family will receive friends on Friday, March 16, 2018 from 10:00 – 11:00 at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Riverview, followed by a funeral mass celebrating her life from 11:00-12:00. Immediate family are invited to attend Cassandra's internment at Serenity Gardens cemetery on conclusion of the service.  Cassandra will rest next to her daughter, Alex, who prepared the way.

We will not mourn this bright spirit with bitter tears and regret. We will raise a glass and reach out to gently touch her face once more, and remember.