Ceres High School held a moment of silence on campus for Michelle Casey on Aug. 18.

Casey, an English teacher and former head coach of the girls’ tennis program, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 34 on Aug. 17.

Services were held at Tuolumne River Lodge at 2429 River Road in Modesto last Friday.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Jasmine Bahia, a 2021 Ceres High grad and team captain during her final season with the Bulldogs. “It makes me cherish all the memories we had together. She always made everything enjoyable. She was a ray of sunshine.”

Casey inspired Bahia and other Ceres High students.

“She was someone I looked up to,” said Bahia, who earned a scholarship to UC Davis. “She gave me advice about everything. She was always there if I needed someone.”

Bahia played tennis for Casey for two seasons.

“She asked me to be team captain senior year,” Bahia said. “We worked very closely. We led the team together. It was a really fun experience.”

Brandon Williams and Jennifer Orozco shared their thoughts online at legacy.com after learning Casey passed away.

“Ms. Casey was an amazing teacher and touched the hearts of many of her students, including me,” Williams said. “She believed in my writing, my potential, and most importantly, she believed in me. She was like another mom while I was at school. She was like that to many of her students and she will be forever loved and missed.”

“Once in a lifetime do we get to meet amazing teachers like you,” Orozco said. “You did more than educate students. You motivated students to not give up. I will always remember your smile, laugh, and your love for Star Wars. You´ll always remain alive in our hearts. Rest in peace Ms. Casey.”

Casey taught English at Ceres High for six years.

She served as head coach of the girls’ tennis program for two years.

The Bulldogs placed third in the Western Athletic Conference with a 9-5 record and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs under Casey’s guidance in 2019.

Casey enjoyed spending time outdoors and creating memories with her son and daughter.

She put herself through college and earned her teaching credential as a single mother. 

Casey attended San Francisco Giants and 49ers games. 

She was perhaps best known for her dark sense of humor, love of black, and obsession with Star Wars.

Casey is survived by her mother Monica Rose Casey, her two children Wyatt Crouch, 14, and Elizabeth Miller, 2, her sister Emily Casey, and her brother David Casey.

Annie Vincent set up a GoFundMe account with the goal of raising $5,000 for Casey’s two children. 

Approximately 84 people donated a combined $8,070 as of Tuesday afternoon.

Additional donations can be made online at www.gofundme.com/michelle-rose-casey

“We’re raising money to support her two young children through this impossibly difficult transition and into the future,” Vincent said.