May 21, 2009
North Kingstown, RI
Christina G. Kassal, 67, wife of James J. Kassal, died on May 21, 2009 at home after a long struggle with brain cancer.
She was born in Burlington, VT on April 26, 1942, daughter of Cecilia and Louis Graeter. Christina lived in Enosburg Falls, VT from early childhood through high school. She graduated from the University of Vermont (Phi Beta Kappa) and subsequently received a Masters Degree from the University of Buffalo.
Christina loved to travel. As a young woman, she studied at the University of Cologne and then taught English to school children in Germany. She traveled to various countries in Europe and most recently, traveled throughout Scotland with her husband.
Throughout her life, Christina was keenly interested in history. For many years, she was a docent at the Monte Cristo Cottage in New London, CT and then at Smiths Castle in North Kingstown, RI for which she made several authentic period costumes. For many years, Christina was also a Girl Scout leader, taking a large troop of girls from Brownies to Senior Scouts. She also sang with her church choirs at St. Matthias in East Lyme, CT and St. Francis de Sales in North Kingstown.
For the past several years, Christina enjoyed playing cards with her friends from the North Kingstown Newcomers and Friends club, and she belonged to several book groups where she loved to lead discussions. She was also known for her caring and loving interest in her large family of siblings and sharing in all their adventures through life.
Besides her husband, James, Christina leaves her daughter, Sonja, two married step sons Peter (Gayle) and Michael (Susan) and grand children Sara, Collin, and Sophia Kassal. She is also survived by five sisters, Sharon Graeter, Jacquelyn ONeil, Marcia Douglas, Melanie Daly, Rebecca Jones, and two brothers, Robert and Eric Graeter. She was predeceased by her parents, one sister Catherine Dean and infant brother Stephen Graeter.
Calling hours will be on Sunday, May 24 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM for family, and 7:30 - 9:30 PM for all others at the Fagan - Quinn Funeral Home in North Kingstown, RI. A funeral mass will be held at St Francis de Sales Church, North Kingstown, RI at 10:00 AM on Monday, May 25. Burial will be in Christinas home town of Enosburg Falls, VT at St. John the Baptist Cemetery on Wednesday May 27th at 10:30 AM followed by a memorial mass at St. John the Baptist Church at 11:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of Christina Kassal to the Honor Our Past Campaign at St. Francis de Sales Church, 381 School St., North Kingstown, RI 02852