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Cassandra Ake-Duvall Obituary
Cassandra Mary Ake-Duvall, 36, passed away on July 2, 2025 at home in Annapolis, Maryland. She was born in Dayton, Ohio, on December 23, 1988, to Laura and DuWain Ake, and from the beginning, her giggle heralded the light and joy she would bring to all who knew her.
After graduating from Beavercreek High School, Cassandra earned her Bachelor's degree in International Relations with minors in Arabic and Spanish from American University. She continued her education at Georgetown University, earning a Master's degree in International Development Policy, preparing herself to make the meaningful impact she so deeply desired. She spent her final years as a MEL Technical Advisor for The Palladium Group in Washington, DC, where she helped evaluate and improve USAID projects across the globe.
On May 18, 2024, Cassandra married the love of her life, Courtney Duvall in Edgewater, Maryland.
Cassandra is survived by her wife, Courtney Duvall; parents, Laura (Whelan) Ake and DuWain Ake; sister, Rachel Ake; mother-in-law, Aundra Brown; grandfather, James Whelan; and a plethora of cousins, aunts, and uncles.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Trevor Project or World Central Kitchen in her honor.
For condolences for Cassandra please visit:
https://www.lastingtributesfuneralcare.com/obituaries/cassandra-ake
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Cassandra Ake-Duvall
Sponsored by Lasting Tributes Cremation and Funeral Care, P.A..
Kathy Steenberg (Brant)
July 18, 2025
I´m sorry that Cassandra´s life was cut short especially because our nation and world is in need of humanitarians like her.
Devera Pounds ( Ms Bunka)
July 14, 2025
Courtney, you and your family have my deepest condolences....Stay strong and keep your head up,..GOD IS GOOD......Devera Pounds ( Ms Bunka)
Emily Pfefer
July 14, 2025
Emily Pfefer
July 14, 2025
Nicole Judice
July 14, 2025
I worked with Cassandra on a couple of proposals to design approaches to monitoring and evaluating the important development work that our teams implement. Her tenacity, calm nature, and curiosity was so notable to me - as the team worked at a hectic pace, she would bring us back to the table to dig in and really think about what we were doing differently. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her. I am so sorry to hear about Cassandra's passing. My thoughts are with Cassandra's wife, parents, and family.
Valerie Richard
July 14, 2025
I had the pleasure of working with and then supervising Cassandra at Palladium over the last 2 years. She was such fun to work with and was always quick with a laugh, open to any new and interesting assignment, and always thinking about how to grow and do more. I will sorely miss her laugh and good cheer and she will remain an indelible part of my fond memories of Palladium.
Kristen Hammaker
July 13, 2025
My thoughts and prayers are with Cassandra's family and her beloved wife and family. Cassandra was one of my best friends since high school and I don't think I could have made it through without her friendship, which always made me feel very valued. She was truly ahead of her time and a world-changer. She is the smartest person I've ever met and had so many wonderful talents that she shared with others in a courageous way. It's hard to imagine going through life without her but I know my love for her will continue and her spirit will always be in my heart. Thank you, Cassandra, for being a constant friend and for teaching me how to love.
Lisa Parker
July 12, 2025
I was Cassandra´s supervisor when she first joined Palladium as a MEL technical advisor. I so enjoyed getting to know her and always appreciated her upbeat attitude and sincere curiosity about the work that was being done. She always asked questions that allowed me to think a bit more deeply about the work we were doing rather than just doing it the same way we had always done it. She was so easy to get along with and worked across multiple projects and teams bringing her insights and in-depth analyses to the activities. I so clearly remember the joy in her voice when she was telling me about her belly dancing classes she was taking and how much she was enjoying them. She will truly be missed.
Molly Cannon
July 12, 2025
Cassandra will be dearly missed - she was on my team during her tenure at Palladium, as part of our Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Analytics group and the Center of Technical Excellence. She supported countless teams on proposal development, evaluation, and project implementation. She was always leaning in, learning something new, asking thoughtful, smart questions - always focused on trying to improve outcomes for those historically marginalized. She worked on some of our most important and interesting projects - Egypt Trade, the Catalyze project, Data for Impact - she worked on health, economic growth, and data analytic projects. She also worked to improve the workplace for all through her LGBTQI+ initiatives. She was a kind and thoughtful colleague - a person we all wanted to work with. She will be deeply missed.
Ling Howley
July 11, 2025
Cassandra was such a kind, smart colleague. She was so dedicated to making the world a better place and was so generous with her time mentoring younger staff, as well as working to make our office a safe space for all LGBTQ+ people. She was such a light in the world and will be missed.
Thierry van Bastelaer
July 11, 2025
Cassandra was the Monitoring and Evaluation lead on the project I led at Palladium, and I know that the entire team will remember her as a thoughtful, patient, kind, and unflappable colleague. The world is poorer without her, and our thoughts go to her wife and her family.
Peggy grollman
July 11, 2025
To Cassandra´s loved ones. I am so sorry for your loss.
Lauren Pisani
July 11, 2025
I am so sorry for your loss. Cassandra was a kind and brilliant colleague. She will be dearly missed.
Laura Osterndorf Aequalis
July 11, 2025
Cassandra was one of the first coworkers I met at Palladium, and she brought so much positive, light-hearted, and social energy to our team. She truly cared about community members and the world. I donated to the Trevor Project on her behalf and send so much love to her family and friends.
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