Cassandra Durland

On Your 1st Birthday in Heaven!
Cassie Durland
June 24, 1992-August 24, 2025

Today marks your 1st birthday in Heaven.

Not a day goes by that you are not missed. Your beautiful smile,

laughter, kind heart, and the love you shared with everyone around

you remain forever in our hearts. Though your time with us was far too

short, the memories you created continue to bring comfort and strength

to those who loved you.

Your greatest joy was being a mother, and your young son carries your

love with him every day. We see pieces of you in his smile, his laughter,

and the light he brings into our lives. The GoFundMe Account to benefit

Izaiah is still active: https://gofund.me/f8398e83d.

On this special day, we celebrate the beautiful person you were and the

love that will never fade. Though we cannot be together to celebrate your

birthday, we hold you close in our hearts and cherish every precious

memory.

Cassandra Holly Durland, lovingly known as Cassie, was born on June 24, 1992, to Robert and Sarah Durland. She grew up in the Village of Fishkill, where she quickly became known for her laughter, her energy, and her love of family. She was the middle of three daughters, with her older sister Adrienne, who lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, and her younger sister Brianna, who lives in Savannah, Georgia. The bond between them was a constant source of love and joy.

From a young age, Cassie had a sense of adventure. She thrived in Girl Scouts, joining overnight camps, beach trips, and the many fun traditions that built lifelong memories. She was also an athlete through and through. Cassie played soccer with local clubs in Wappingers, Lagrange, and East Fishkill, but her greatest passion was field hockey. As goalkeeper for John Jay High School, she competed in tournaments such as the Regional Rumble in Virginia Beach. She was also a talented golfer, playing on John Jay's varsity team all four years and making it to the finals three times. In everything she did, Cassie brought energy, determination, and heart.

She graduated from John Jay High School in 2010 and went on to Dutchess Community College. Eventually, her path took her beyond Dutchess County, first to St. Petersburg, Florida, and later to Savannah, Georgia, where she was living at the time of her passing.

The greatest joy of Cassie's life came on October 26, 2017, when she welcomed her son, Izaiah Andre McKinney. From the moment he was born, Izaiah was her everything-her pride, her purpose, her greatest love. Their bond was incredibly special. Cassie shared her love of the outdoors with him, especially fishing and camping, and she poured every ounce of herself into being the best mother she could be. She was fiercely protective, like a momma bear, and her devotion to Izaiah was unmatched.

Cassie's love extended to her whole family. She was the kind of daughter and sister who filled a room with laughter and never lost her witty, quick sense of humor. She was also the mediator of the family, keeping everyone steady through life's hardest times. Her heart held a special place for animals-especially cats. Whether it was a friend's cat, a stray she came across, or her own beloved Pumpkin, Bella, and Taz, she cared deeply for them and gave them wonderful lives.

Cassie found comfort in the words of the Serenity Prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Cassie will be remembered for her fierce love, her laughter that lit up every space she entered, and the warmth she shared with everyone lucky enough to know her. She leaves behind her son Izaiah, her parents Sarah and Robert, her sisters Adrienne and Brianna, and countless family and friends who will miss her dearly. Though her time with us was far too short, her spirit, humor, and love will live on in the memories she created, and in the heart of her son, who will always carry a piece of her with him.