Crystal J Cascadden

MEREDITH — Crystal J Cascadden of Meredith NH passed away Monday, May 13th 2024 after being unable to recover from mitral valve heart surgery. Crystal was born December 24th, 1961 in Wiesbaden, Germany to Elmer Eugene (Gene) and Jeannette (Jan) Woodbury. Her family eventually settled in Littleton, NH, where she survived Hodgkin’s Lymphoma as a teenager via mantle radiation.

She met the love of her life, Dean Cascadden and they began a 45 year adventurous love story. Crystal studied pharmacy and graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1984 with a MS. She was a knowledgeable and insightful hospital clinician and spent her career working in various hospitals in NH including Laconia and Plymouth. She became the Director of Pharmacy at Speare Memorial Hospital where she was a caring and committed manager and was respected and loved in her job. She retired in 2023 to spend more time with her husband and family & to focus on her health. The effects of the cancer treatment were long lasting and Crystal fought hard and had many surgeries and health issues as a result.

Crystal leaves behind her beloved husband of 40 years, Dean (Meredith); daughter Nora (Concord); son Dean Jr. and his wife Elyse (Halifax, MA); son Ian and his fiancée Maya (Vancouver, BC, Canada) and son Carter (Concord). She also leaves behind her cherished granddaughter, Madeline (Halifax, MA); mother Jan Woodbury (Citrus Springs, FL); sister Carole Mosco and her husband Bob (Gardner, MA); brother Mike (MS); and numerous other family members, friends, and people whose lives she touched.

With her history of radiation, Crystal was not expected to have children, but became the heart of a busy home and the glue of an extended family. She was a full time professional and a full time home maker and excelled at both. She cared for others and served them with grace.

She loved her busy life of entertaining friends and family, trying out new recipes, being active outdoors, and traveling and having adventures with her husband. As a long-term cancer survivor, she treated every day as a gift and a blessing. She was brave and strong and tough while also being gentle, accepting and understanding. She had a circle of close friends and those who knew her even casually were struck by her ability to be humble, work hard and be kind. She was a perfect co-equal complement to her husband and a role model for her children. Her legacy of opening her Lake Wicwas home to others as a place of rest, relaxation and restoration will continue, and her spirit will be with her family and friends for a long time.

Calling hours will be held at Mayhew Funeral Home, 204 Daniel Webster Hwy, Meredith on Wednesday May 22nd from 5-7pm.

A celebration of life party will be held Lakeside at the Margate in Laconia starting at 10 am Thursday May 23rd. We will remember her many facets, gifts and kindnesses and then share food and drink. Dress in bright colors. This is what Crystal would have wanted.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations in Crystal’s memory be sent to the Lake Wicwas Association http://www.lakewicwas.org/ Donations can be made on the website via Paypal or checks sent to PO Box 325, Meredith, NH 03253. Please note your donation is in memory of Crystal and help protect the lake she loved and honor the life she lived to the fullest.

Arrangements are under the care of Mayhew Funeral Homes and Crematorium. To sign the online book of memories, go to mayhewfuneralhomes.com.