Kassia Smith

Kassia Smith was born in Fitchburg on May 10, 1980. Kassia grew up in Ashburnham, MA. She graduated from Oakmont Regional High School in the class of 1998. She went on to earn her BA from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. She then proceeded to earn her Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts. Kassia has always had a commitment to public service and so she became an assistant district attorney for Worcester County. She began her career in 2006. She worked in the Fitchburg District Court and then in Worcester Superior Court. She ran the Motor Vehicle Homicide Unit and the Gang Unit. She was a member of the Massachusetts Bar and last May was sworn in as a member of the U. S. Supreme Court Bar in Washington, DC.  She was the cover photographer for the Massachusetts Law Review. Kassia saw her diagnosis of ovarian cancer as an opportunity to be a leader and an advocate for raising money and awareness for cancer research. She joined over one hundred colleagues, friends and family as Kassia’s Crusaders to raise money for cancer research at UMASS Memorial Hospital which is within the community where she lived and worked. She then went on to lead Team Fight Fierce for two consecutive years, walking the 26.2 mile route for the Jimmy Fund Walk for Dana Farber.  In 2015, Kassia was chosen to be a walk hero with her picture and story inspiring all walkers as they rounded mile 9.  Team Fight Fierce and Kassia’s Crusaders have raised over 50,000 dollars for cancer research in just two short years. An award winning photographer and avid athlete, she loved the Cape, especially Chatham. She was the heart of her family, beloved by her friends and admired by her colleagues. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a smile that lit up the world.  Her leadership, courage, and desire to make a difference inspired all who knew her. Her family would like to thank District Attorney, Joseph D. Early Jr. for his compassion and unwavering support. Her family would also  like to thank all those involved with Kassia’s care for their kindness , specifically, the Palliative Care  Unit at Brigham and Woman’s Hospital and  her Dana Farber team, Dr.Ursula Matulonis, Kathy Early PA,  and Allison Hester RN. Kassia is survived by her husband the Honorable Christopher LoConto of Worcester MA, her parents Stanley Smith and Melanie Gallo of Ashburnham MA, her brother Stanley Smith Jr and his wife Tina of St. Charles, IL, and her sisters Stephanie Smith and Valerie Sullivan of Westminster MA.  Kassia also leaves behind her nephew and nieces Dillan Skamarycz, Madison Skamarycz and Emma Sullivan of Westminster MA and Kay Smith of St. Charles, IL as well as her Aunts, Uncles her many cousins and her cat Rocky. Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours, Tuesday, July 12th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL; 370 Plantation St. Worcester.  Her funeral will be held Wednesday, July 13th from the funeral home leaving in procession at 10:30 am to St. John’s Church, 44 Temple Street where her Celebration of Life Mass will be held at 11:00 am.  Burial will be private.   Donations can be made to Team Fight Fierce, Jimmy Fund Walk 2016, http://www.jimmyfundwalk.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1145126&kntae1145126=5A5E8044133948749E3075FEB20D1945&team=6607650