On Friday, April 28, 2023 Theresa (Terrie) Marie Smith Cassagnol went to her heavenly father peacefully, surrounded by her family at St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown, MD. She was born August 17, 1933 to the late Benedict Smith and Marie Clayton Smith. Theresa attended St. Peter Claver Elementary and Cardinal Gibbons High School in St. Mary’s County and continued on to Hampton University of Virginia; completing her Bachelor of Science at St. Mary’s College. She met Gerard Cassagnol while attending Hampton University and they later married. Together they had ten children.
Theresa taught at Carver Middle School and at Great Mills High School, where she was known to so many students as ‘Ms. C’. She was an advocate for civil and human rights, organizing protests and demonstrations for equal rights for all men and women. Her passion was reading and teaching others about their history, especially black history. She was a parishioner of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church. She loved reading the Word and working with the senior parishioners, recognizing them on birthdays by giving them balloons and many other little gifts. She loved the Lord and you could hear her singing out his praise in her alto voice. She loved her family and was fiercely protective of them.
Theresa received many awards and recognitions for her service to others from organizations throughout St. Mary’s County and the State of Maryland, including serving as a member of the Citizens Advisory Board for the Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents; a nominee for Woman of the Year by the St. Mary’s County Commission for Women; leading several Rosary Rallies in the Public Square Rosary Crusade; and volunteering for various organizations for the betterment of our society.
Theresa is predeceased by her parents and siblings, Rose Butler, Benedict Smith, Jr., Martin Smith and Florence Smith.
Left to cherish her memories are her sisters, Ann Peterson and Dorothy Smith; her brother, John Gabriel Smith; her daughters, Maria Cassagnol Burton, Brenda Cassagnol Fairbanks and Miriam Elisa Cassagnol; her sons, Andre’ Fulton Cassagnol, Antonio Romeo Cassagnol, Gabriel Xavier Cassagnol, Paul Michael Cassagnol, Gerard Robert Cassagnol, Prince Christopher Maurice Cassagnol and Jonathan Marcus Cassagnol, 21 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, her many nieces, nephews and cousins, her church family and her friends. She will always be loved, and she will always be missed.
Family and friends will gather on Friday, May 5, 2023 for visitation at 10 am; Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am, at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church,16922 Saint Peter Claver Road, St. Inigoes, MD 20684. Interment to follow in the church cemetery.
“For donations to the family, please Zelle them to 915-309-3308. Thank you in advance for your donations. “
Prayers of peace, comfort and strength to the family.
SENDING OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO OUR FAMILY AND YOURS❤️FOR WE ARE ALL FAMILY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST❤️TO KNOW MOTHER MARIE IS TO LOVE HER❤️HER ANGELIC SPIRIT SPREAD LOVE EVERYWHERE SHE WENT❤️NOW SHE IS IN HER HEAVENLY HOME WITH OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST❤️KEEPING A WATCHFUL EYE ON HER ENTIRE FAMILY❤️MAY THE LORD KEEP YOU STRONG WITH HER EVERLASTING LOVE ON ALL MINDS❤️IN GODS SPIRIT AND HIS WORD WHICH GOES ON FOREVER THROUGHOUT ETERNITY ❤️LORD KEEP YOUR ANGELS AROUND THE FAMILY FOREVER IN JESUS NAME❤️PRAYERS PEACE LOVE AND JOY FOR ALL IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME ❤️AMEN❤️
Sending my deepest Condolences
Sending our deepest condolences for the family. Theresa was a cherished friends and a beautiful soul. She will truly be missed.
To Theresa’s Family, My prayers and condolences go out for all of you in your great sorrow. I joined Theresa intermittently in church and Civic activities over many years, culminating in several years of praying the Rosary with residents at Chesapeake Shores nursing home. Although a fierce opponent of Injustice, Theresa could be Serene and fun-loving in social events. Theresa, really going to miss you my buddy; really going to miss you my friend. Mary Martin & family
My condolences and prayers to the family during this difficult time.
Sending my thoughts, prayers, love and condolences to the entire family. My God continue to be with you during this time and beyond.
Wishing you peace, love and comfort. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Wishing you peace, love and comfort. You are in my prayers and thoughts.
My deepest condolences and will be praying for you and your family.
Sending condolences from Travis, Liana and Lena Brown. Praying for comfort during this time of grievance. ❤️❤️❤️
I would like to send My deepest condolences and prayers for the family
I would like to send my deepest sympathies to the family. I heard some great things about Mrs. Theresa and I know that she is going to be truly missed. ❤️❤️❤️