Cassandra Mary Ake's 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. From the beginning, her giggle heralded the light and joy she would bring to all who knew her. From an early age, she displayed an insatiable curiosity about the world and its people, a trait that would define her entire life’s journey.
Cassandra’s passion for exploring different cultures and learning new languages led her to DC, at 18 years old, to pursue an education at American University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations with minors in Arabic and Spanish. 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.
Her academic achievements were just the beginning of a life devoted to serving people across cultures. Cassandra lived and worked abroad in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Argentina, Lebanon, and Jordan, immersing herself in each community she encountered.
In 2017, Cassandra began her career in international development, work that became central to her mission of creating positive change in the world. 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. She was passionate about ensuring that development programs truly served the communities they were designed to help, always asking the hard questions about effectiveness and impact.
On May 18, 2024, Cassandra married the love of her life, Courtney Duvall in Edgewater, Maryland. Their wedding was a celebration of love that reflected the joyous testament to the deep connection they shared.
A born performer, she belly danced her way across this earth with her lyrical laugh following in her wake. Whether she was learning a new dance routine, language, trying new foods, or simply listening to someone’s story, Cassandra approached each experience with genuine joy and openness.
At home, Cassandra’s nurturing spirit extended to all living things. She was passionate about her family, including her beloved dog Klaus, and had a well-known habit of buying as many plant as her home could hold. Her love for growth and care touched everything around her.
Cassandra’s commitment to community extended beyond her personal circles. For many years, she volunteered at the Rainbow History Project in DC, where she collected oral histories from her queer elders. She understood that preserving these stories was vital work, ensuring that the wisdom and experiences of those who came before would not be lost. Through this work, she became a keeper of memories and a bridge between generations.
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.
She will be put to rest at Bestgate Memorial Park in Annapolis, Maryland and David’s Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday July 12, 2025.
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