Wilkerson-Cassimatis, Gina Lynn

Gina Lynn Wilkerson-Cassimatis  9.29.1969 – 01.01.2025

Gina Lynn Wilkerson Cassimatis passed away peacefully at home on January 1st, 2025, surrounded by the love she so freely gave throughout her life. Though ALS may have taken her physical presence far too soon, her spirit remains woven into the hearts of those she touched.

Born on September 9, 1969, at St. Mary’s Hospital in St. Louis. Gina grew up in Pevely, MO, where she attended Herculaneum High School. She was a devoted and active student, always bringing energy and heart to everything she did. She carried that same radiant spirit into adulthood, earning her degree in education at UMSL and beginning her career as a second-grade teacher.

Gina embraced motherhood with her whole heart, staying home to raise Caleb and Annie before returning to the classroom as a middle school language arts teacher. She taught at Senn Thomas Middle School, the same school she attended as a child. Eventually, she retired as a library media specialist, a role where her love of words, literature, and stories thrived. Teaching wasn’t just her career, it was her calling. She found purpose in helping young minds discover their voices, guiding them with care, and shaping their foundations through life lessons, empathy, and unwavering support.

Much like in the classroom, Gina led with her heart through kindness, strength, and an unshakable faith in God. She had a rare gift for making others feel seen, heard, and valued. She was a giver, always putting others first and giving her all to prioritize others’ needs. She poured her heart into people and walked beside them through life’s joys and challenges, always anchored by her faith and love.

She was passionate about culture and the richness of life’s experiences. Gina loved travel, music, food, and the connections formed along the way. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures—soaking in a favorite melody, the taste of a shared meal, and exchanging stories around a table. She also believed in the magic of thoughtfully planned moments. A natural planner at heart, she approached life with intention, pouring care into creating experiences where every detail felt special. Like an art form, she poured her soul into making others feel cherished.

For Gina, nature was a reflection of God’s embrace. She felt deeply moved by sunlight filtering through a forest of trees, the endless stretch of blue waters, and the delicate unfolding of a flower —all speaking to her of peace and wonder. That same faith guided her daily, inspiring her to love without condition, give without expectation, and find beauty in everyone she met.

At the heart of Gina’s life was her family. She was a devoted wife to Ted Cassimatis and an endlessly loving mother to her daughter Annie and her husband James Jones, and son Caleb and his wife Kylie Wilkerson. Being “Gigi” to her grandchildren, Harper, Ellie, and James, brought her pure joy—they were bright lights in her life, and she cherished every moment spent with them. For Gina, family was her greatest treasure. She poured her love into creating lasting memories filled with warmth, connection, and comfort.

She is also survived by her parents, Fred and Sandra Helms, and her brothers Chad (Shannon) Helms and Matthew (Heather) Helms, who shaped her compassionate spirit and strong faith. She leaves behind many cousins and extended family members, all of whom she held closely in her heart. Gina’s life was deeply enriched by the people she loved, and she, in turn, left a lasting imprint on each of their lives with her kindness and love.

A celebration of Gina’s beautiful life will be held on Friday, January 10th at Kutis Funeral Home 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd. with visitation from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and again on Saturday, January 11th from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Followed by a service at 11:30 a.m. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held following the service at Main Street Abbey. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to ALS research in her memory. (ALS.org)

To know Gina was to experience love in its purest form—gentle, generous, and boundless. Her legacy is not just in the words she wrote or the lessons she taught, but in the countless lives she touched.

Gina taught us how to live fully, give freely, and love with our whole hearts. Her story will echo in the hearts of all who knew her—a lasting reminder that the beauty of life lies not in its length but in how deeply it is lived.