The "last beautiful fall day of the year" turned to a dark memory - when a Montana family lost their 18 year-old daughter to meth. However, a spark of hope was ignited that November day of 2000.
The Haydals – Dad Greg, Sister Nicki and Mother Mary were stunned to learn that Cassie's sudden heart failure and coma was due to an addiction to methamphetamine.
Cassie Haydal, an honor student, active in church, sports and her community, was buried just two weeks later.
Mary Haydal has been sharing her family's story of loss for over five years. Most remarkably, it was one of Cassie's childhood poems that kindled the words of hope, love and understanding in Mary's courageous voice.
The Flame has grown from a poem to a powerful message that is being heard by teens, parents, teachers and concerned citizens looking for answers to our nationwide drug problem.
This mother's story is at www.theflamepresentations.org/ for you... to read, to educate, to inspire those tempted, pressured or addicted to drugs.
Below follows Cassie's obituary and The Flame, A poem written by Cassie herself when she was 14
MILES CITY – Cassie Haydal, age 18, of Miles City, daughter of Greg and Mary Haydal, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2000, at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings surrounded by love and prayer with her family.
Cassie was born on Aug. 14, 1982, at Miles City, the daughter of Greg and Mary (Was) Haydal. She attended St. Francis School through the third grade in Billings. The family moved to Miles City, where she went to Kircher Country School through the sixth grade and Washington Middle School. Cassie presently was a senior at Custer County High School.
Cassie loved music, poetry, people, working with children, basketball and especially watching her sister play basketball. At the time of her death, she was coaching her sister's team. A highlight in Cassie's life was a trip to France with her French class this summer. Cassie planned to attend the University of Montana and major in childhood psychology and minor in journalism.
She is survived by her parents Greg and Mary Haydal of Miles City; a sister, Nicole Lee Haydal of the family home; her grandparents, Leona Vetter of Miles City, and Richard and Vivian Was of Wren, Ohio; aunts and uncles, Kim and Jim Miller of Cleveland, Ohio, Alice Lashchuk of Wadworth, Ohio, and William and Sharon Harris of Camas, Wash.; numerous cousins and extended family; and a special love, Levi Meidinger of Miles City. She was preceded in death by her grandfather Harlan Haydal in 1985. Before Cassie left this life, her final gift was the donation of her cornea and tissue's to the Norwest Tissue Center and the Rocky Mountains Lions Eye Bank. Up to 22 people will be helped.
Family will receive friends and classmates on Sunday, Nov. 19, from 2 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Vigil services will be held on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. in the Sacred Heart School Gymnasium with Father Gil Hernauer-Capuchin as celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow in the family lot in the Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to R.OC.K.S., an after school program where Cassie volunteered her time.
We pray each day to be more like them
Cassie's Family
The Flame
Way down past the sadness,
deep inside the heart,
there burns an ever going flame
from which I'll never part.
It brightens all the darkness
and dries up all the tears.
It lightens up a path in which to
walk from all your fears.
But if your flame should ever
get blown out by winds of sin,
just stay strong, say a prayer
and light it up again.
Some lives may be broken
and you might have to mend them,
but no matter how intense the pain
it never helps to end them.
You may not have much faith left
from where it all once came,
but as long as there's a spark of hope,
you'll always have a flame.
By Cassie Haydal©
November, 1996
The Haydals – Dad Greg, Sister Nicki and Mother Mary were stunned to learn that Cassie's sudden heart failure and coma was due to an addiction to methamphetamine.
Cassie Haydal, an honor student, active in church, sports and her community, was buried just two weeks later.
Mary Haydal has been sharing her family's story of loss for over five years. Most remarkably, it was one of Cassie's childhood poems that kindled the words of hope, love and understanding in Mary's courageous voice.
The Flame has grown from a poem to a powerful message that is being heard by teens, parents, teachers and concerned citizens looking for answers to our nationwide drug problem.
This mother's story is at www.theflamepresentations.org/ for you... to read, to educate, to inspire those tempted, pressured or addicted to drugs.
Below follows Cassie's obituary and The Flame, A poem written by Cassie herself when she was 14
MILES CITY – Cassie Haydal, age 18, of Miles City, daughter of Greg and Mary Haydal, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2000, at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings surrounded by love and prayer with her family.
Cassie was born on Aug. 14, 1982, at Miles City, the daughter of Greg and Mary (Was) Haydal. She attended St. Francis School through the third grade in Billings. The family moved to Miles City, where she went to Kircher Country School through the sixth grade and Washington Middle School. Cassie presently was a senior at Custer County High School.
Cassie loved music, poetry, people, working with children, basketball and especially watching her sister play basketball. At the time of her death, she was coaching her sister's team. A highlight in Cassie's life was a trip to France with her French class this summer. Cassie planned to attend the University of Montana and major in childhood psychology and minor in journalism.
She is survived by her parents Greg and Mary Haydal of Miles City; a sister, Nicole Lee Haydal of the family home; her grandparents, Leona Vetter of Miles City, and Richard and Vivian Was of Wren, Ohio; aunts and uncles, Kim and Jim Miller of Cleveland, Ohio, Alice Lashchuk of Wadworth, Ohio, and William and Sharon Harris of Camas, Wash.; numerous cousins and extended family; and a special love, Levi Meidinger of Miles City. She was preceded in death by her grandfather Harlan Haydal in 1985. Before Cassie left this life, her final gift was the donation of her cornea and tissue's to the Norwest Tissue Center and the Rocky Mountains Lions Eye Bank. Up to 22 people will be helped.
Family will receive friends and classmates on Sunday, Nov. 19, from 2 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Vigil services will be held on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. in the Sacred Heart School Gymnasium with Father Gil Hernauer-Capuchin as celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow in the family lot in the Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to R.OC.K.S., an after school program where Cassie volunteered her time.
We pray each day to be more like them
Cassie's Family
The Flame
Way down past the sadness,
deep inside the heart,
there burns an ever going flame
from which I'll never part.
It brightens all the darkness
and dries up all the tears.
It lightens up a path in which to
walk from all your fears.
But if your flame should ever
get blown out by winds of sin,
just stay strong, say a prayer
and light it up again.
Some lives may be broken
and you might have to mend them,
but no matter how intense the pain
it never helps to end them.
You may not have much faith left
from where it all once came,
but as long as there's a spark of hope,
you'll always have a flame.
By Cassie Haydal©
November, 1996
The "last beautiful fall day of the year" turned to a dark memory - when a Montana family lost their 18 year-old daughter to meth. However, a spark of hope was ignited that November day of 2000.
The Haydals – Dad Greg, Sister Nicki and Mother Mary were stunned to learn that Cassie's sudden heart failure and coma was due to an addiction to methamphetamine.
Cassie Haydal, an honor student, active in church, sports and her community, was buried just two weeks later.
Mary Haydal has been sharing her family's story of loss for over five years. Most remarkably, it was one of Cassie's childhood poems that kindled the words of hope, love and understanding in Mary's courageous voice.
The Flame has grown from a poem to a powerful message that is being heard by teens, parents, teachers and concerned citizens looking for answers to our nationwide drug problem.
This mother's story is at www.theflamepresentations.org/ for you... to read, to educate, to inspire those tempted, pressured or addicted to drugs.
Below follows Cassie's obituary and The Flame, A poem written by Cassie herself when she was 14
MILES CITY – Cassie Haydal, age 18, of Miles City, daughter of Greg and Mary Haydal, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2000, at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings surrounded by love and prayer with her family.
Cassie was born on Aug. 14, 1982, at Miles City, the daughter of Greg and Mary (Was) Haydal. She attended St. Francis School through the third grade in Billings. The family moved to Miles City, where she went to Kircher Country School through the sixth grade and Washington Middle School. Cassie presently was a senior at Custer County High School.
Cassie loved music, poetry, people, working with children, basketball and especially watching her sister play basketball. At the time of her death, she was coaching her sister's team. A highlight in Cassie's life was a trip to France with her French class this summer. Cassie planned to attend the University of Montana and major in childhood psychology and minor in journalism.
She is survived by her parents Greg and Mary Haydal of Miles City; a sister, Nicole Lee Haydal of the family home; her grandparents, Leona Vetter of Miles City, and Richard and Vivian Was of Wren, Ohio; aunts and uncles, Kim and Jim Miller of Cleveland, Ohio, Alice Lashchuk of Wadworth, Ohio, and William and Sharon Harris of Camas, Wash.; numerous cousins and extended family; and a special love, Levi Meidinger of Miles City. She was preceded in death by her grandfather Harlan Haydal in 1985. Before Cassie left this life, her final gift was the donation of her cornea and tissue's to the Norwest Tissue Center and the Rocky Mountains Lions Eye Bank. Up to 22 people will be helped.
Family will receive friends and classmates on Sunday, Nov. 19, from 2 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Vigil services will be held on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. in the Sacred Heart School Gymnasium with Father Gil Hernauer-Capuchin as celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow in the family lot in the Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to R.OC.K.S., an after school program where Cassie volunteered her time.
We pray each day to be more like them
Cassie's Family
The Flame
Way down past the sadness,
deep inside the heart,
there burns an ever going flame
from which I'll never part.
It brightens all the darkness
and dries up all the tears.
It lightens up a path in which to
walk from all your fears.
But if your flame should ever
get blown out by winds of sin,
just stay strong, say a prayer
and light it up again.
Some lives may be broken
and you might have to mend them,
but no matter how intense the pain
it never helps to end them.
You may not have much faith left
from where it all once came,
but as long as there's a spark of hope,
you'll always have a flame.
By Cassie Haydal©
November, 1996
The Haydals – Dad Greg, Sister Nicki and Mother Mary were stunned to learn that Cassie's sudden heart failure and coma was due to an addiction to methamphetamine.
Cassie Haydal, an honor student, active in church, sports and her community, was buried just two weeks later.
Mary Haydal has been sharing her family's story of loss for over five years. Most remarkably, it was one of Cassie's childhood poems that kindled the words of hope, love and understanding in Mary's courageous voice.
The Flame has grown from a poem to a powerful message that is being heard by teens, parents, teachers and concerned citizens looking for answers to our nationwide drug problem.
This mother's story is at www.theflamepresentations.org/ for you... to read, to educate, to inspire those tempted, pressured or addicted to drugs.
Below follows Cassie's obituary and The Flame, A poem written by Cassie herself when she was 14
MILES CITY – Cassie Haydal, age 18, of Miles City, daughter of Greg and Mary Haydal, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2000, at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings surrounded by love and prayer with her family.
Cassie was born on Aug. 14, 1982, at Miles City, the daughter of Greg and Mary (Was) Haydal. She attended St. Francis School through the third grade in Billings. The family moved to Miles City, where she went to Kircher Country School through the sixth grade and Washington Middle School. Cassie presently was a senior at Custer County High School.
Cassie loved music, poetry, people, working with children, basketball and especially watching her sister play basketball. At the time of her death, she was coaching her sister's team. A highlight in Cassie's life was a trip to France with her French class this summer. Cassie planned to attend the University of Montana and major in childhood psychology and minor in journalism.
She is survived by her parents Greg and Mary Haydal of Miles City; a sister, Nicole Lee Haydal of the family home; her grandparents, Leona Vetter of Miles City, and Richard and Vivian Was of Wren, Ohio; aunts and uncles, Kim and Jim Miller of Cleveland, Ohio, Alice Lashchuk of Wadworth, Ohio, and William and Sharon Harris of Camas, Wash.; numerous cousins and extended family; and a special love, Levi Meidinger of Miles City. She was preceded in death by her grandfather Harlan Haydal in 1985. Before Cassie left this life, her final gift was the donation of her cornea and tissue's to the Norwest Tissue Center and the Rocky Mountains Lions Eye Bank. Up to 22 people will be helped.
Family will receive friends and classmates on Sunday, Nov. 19, from 2 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Vigil services will be held on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. in the Sacred Heart School Gymnasium with Father Gil Hernauer-Capuchin as celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow in the family lot in the Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to R.OC.K.S., an after school program where Cassie volunteered her time.
We pray each day to be more like them
Cassie's Family
The Flame
Way down past the sadness,
deep inside the heart,
there burns an ever going flame
from which I'll never part.
It brightens all the darkness
and dries up all the tears.
It lightens up a path in which to
walk from all your fears.
But if your flame should ever
get blown out by winds of sin,
just stay strong, say a prayer
and light it up again.
Some lives may be broken
and you might have to mend them,
but no matter how intense the pain
it never helps to end them.
You may not have much faith left
from where it all once came,
but as long as there's a spark of hope,
you'll always have a flame.
By Cassie Haydal©
November, 1996
