Irene Andrews Cassell was born on November 25, 1929 in Grafton, West Virginia, to Greek immigrant parents, Harry and Clara Andrews. Renee, as she was known, passed away peacefully at her beloved home in Granville, Ohio on July 5, 2026 surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was 96 years old.

Renee radiated an irrepressible life spirit. She embodied all the facets and contradictions of humanity in one beautiful, gracious person. She was the sweet girl who was feisty to the core, the daughter of parents with little formal education who was the first in her family to go to college, the small town girl who married her high school sweetheart and then traveled the four corners of the earth, the constant worrier who became a warrior for social justice, and eventually the wheelchair-bound 90-year-old who never let age confine her sense of wonder and appreciation. She taught us all how to live, to love, and to be joyful.

Renee’s parents, Hercules Andreadakis and Calliope Romanias (their Greek names before they were Americanized), worked seven days a week, morning, noon, and night at their restaurant, the Union Lunch, to put six children through college and provide a loving home. Her fondest memories were of discovering the treasures of her home town: swimming in the Tygart River, channeling Nancy Drew to “solve” murders with her sister Mary, and leading the high school marching band as head majorette. And Grafton was good to her. Her senior class voted her most popular, prettiest girl, best figure (it was 1947 so they could do that) – not to mention best personality. Grafton also gave Renee the love of her life, John Jacob Cassell, her devoted husband of seventy years.

Theirs was a love for the ages. They were in love with each other until their parting and Renee missed John every day of her life after he passed. They were married on August 5, 1951 in the Mother’s Day Church in Grafton WV and spent virtually every day of their married lives together, carrying out their life’s adventures with Renee suggesting where to go and John making it happen. They travelled the world together, and spent many happy summer vacations with family at the Jersey shore and Bethany Beach, DE and weekends camping in their Vanagon with their treasured dogs Bonnie and Duke. When Renee and John fell asleep each night, they held each other’s hands and whispered “best part of the day.”

Her most cherished role was as a mother to John Michael, Mary, and David, and Yiayia to seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She believed fiercely that family always comes first, and she never missed weddings, graduations, or grandkids’ sporting events. She taught her children through word and deed that the most important investments are in education and travel. She dragged her family to museums and cultural events, and even into their adulthoods, never missed birthdays or anniversaries. She said the right things when they needed comforting, and the funniest things when they least expected it.

Renee found her professional calling early. After graduating from Fairmont State University, she became an elementary school teacher, excelling at teaching first graders to read and igniting their love of learning. During her 20 years at Newton Elementary School, she created interdisciplinary units on dinosaurs, endangered species, and fairy tales. She invited her students’ mothers and grandmothers to class teas, hosted talent shows and science fairs, and baked birthday cakes for each of her students. Former students often listed Renee as their all-time favorite teacher, and stopped by the house decades later to introduce her to their children and grandchildren.

Renee gave much back to her community. For more than six decades, she was an active parishioner at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church as a Sunday School teacher and alter guild member. She and her fellow alter guild “Teabags” shared their greatest joys and deepest secrets, while also attending marches against the war and for civil and women’s rights. She worked hours on end alongside TWIG members who ran a thrift shop that raised money for the hospital and those in need. She adopted rescue animals, but always felt her dogs Duke and Rascal gave her more than she gave them. She always welcomed friends and neighbors onto her famous side porch for hearty conversation and a full glass of wine.

Renee is preceded in death by her mother and father, and sisters Mary and Athena (“Bo”) whom she thought of everyday. She is survived by her sister Dimetra Lewin, brothers Larry and Eric Andrews, children John Michael and Suellen Cassell, Mary Irene Cassell and Bruce Auster, and David Andrew Cassell; grandchildren Leigh Anne Cassell, Emma McHugh, Andrew Cassell, Hannah Cassell, Paul and Alexandra Cassell, Quentin and Nikita Auster, and Bryce Auster; great-grandsons Declan Hogan, Elliot and Grayson McHugh, and dozens of nieces and nephews.

Her family and friends will miss her everyday for the rest of their lives. Renee’s favorite saying was “Fight On.” Her family truly believes that she is doing that right now.

Renee’s family will hold a Celebration of Life on August 1, 2026, from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at their home at 216 E. College Street Granville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in her honor to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Granville or the Licking County Humane Society.

Please visit www.McPeekHoekstra.com to share a special memory or leave a message of condolence.