Alixandra Cascio

Hartford - Alixandra Cascio, 23, of Hartford, Connecticut, passed on Friday, May 27, at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in the arms of her loving parents to a place of freedom and peace. Ali was born in Hartford, on February 3, 1993, the daughter of James K. and Judithann M. Cascio. Ali attended Saint Thomas The Apostle elementary school in West Hartford and was later a 2011 graduate of Watkinson School, a college preparatory school in Hartford. She then attended High Point University in High Point, North Carolina and on May 26, 2016, she was granted her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. Just ten hours before her passing, Ali’s diploma was delivered to her bedside as a surprise by her lifelong and much loved, CCMC Cardiac and PICU medical teams and presented by her mother and father, drawing Ali’s easy and broad smile. Ali lived every day with a sense of adventure and joy. She loved to travel and experience everything the world had to offer. She swam with the turtles off the Nepali Coast of Hawaii, held the stingrays in the Caymans, zip-lined through the rainforest in Costa Rica, wore an albino python in Singapore, toured the Vatican in Rome, rode the London Eye, strolled along Barcelona’s Las Ramblas, went to the opening night at the Vienna State Opera, and traveled anywhere else she could to experience life. Ali loved all social gatherings - the deck at Wampanoag, dinner with friends at home and in restaurants, but she especially enjoyed Holiday festivities; the people, the food and the decorations. She laughed and saw humor in most everything. Her limitations did not define her. She was a loving daughter, a loyal friend, a kind person always seeking the good in everyone. Ali made friends everywhere she went, but it was at her schools that Ali made lifelong alliances with very special friends. Ali always had friends around – playing video games, watching movies and endless texting. There are so many people that loved and cared for Ali and we so appreciate their dedication to making Ali’s life full of happiness. Ali was fortunate to have had summers filled with activities managed by her summer companions. She and her friends were taken to the beach, to movies, miniature golf and parks. During her hospital tune-ups, her caregivers challenged her in video games, brought puzzles and other activities to pass the time and took her on rides outside. Thank you to the Physicians, Nurses and Support Staff of both Boston Children’s Hospital Cardiac Floor and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Cardiac Practice and the PICU. You all make such a difference. Thank you for the great care at High Point Student Health Services. Ali was able to be at school with your help. Alixandra is survived and loved by her parents, Jim and Judith Cascio of Hartford; her uncle and aunt, Paul and Linda Cascio of Waterford and her cousins Joshua Cascio of Tampa, Florida, and Lauren Cascio Kavanaugh and her husband Steve of Exeter New Hampshire; her Uncle and Aunt Dr. John McCue and Maryann Cascio McCue of Providence, RI, and her cousins Emily and Julia McCue both of Providence. Ali is also loved by her Great Uncle and Great Aunt, Edmund and Kathryn Mucci of Mantoloking Shores, New Jersey, as well as their adult children Ed Mucci and his wife Dina of Hoboken, NJ and Dr. Wayne Mucci and his wife Camille of Parkland, Florida and their respective families. Ali is also in the hearts of her second cousins Ryan, Jenna, Michael and Dayna. Ali is predeceased by both her maternal and paternal grandparents. Ali’s wake will be held at Molloy Funeral Home located at 906 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, on Friday, June 3rd from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Ali’s service to celebrate her life will be held at Saint Thomas The Apostle Church located at 872 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, on Saturday June 4th at 10:00 AM. Immediately following the service, a reception to celebrate Ali’s life will be held at Wampanoag Country Club, 60 Wampanoag Drive, West Hartford, CT from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM. All are welcome. Donations in Ali’s memory may be made to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Department of Cardiology, 282 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106; Phone: 860.837.5700, On-Line at foundation@connecticutchildrens.org.

Alixandra Cascio

May 27, 2016