Catherine "Cassie" Barnes Ellis

Catherine “Cassie” Barnes Ellis, 78, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2025, in East Lansing, Michigan, at The Willows Rehabilitation Center, following complications related to a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Born on August 31, 1947, in Lansing, Michigan, Cassie was the daughter of Harry Newton Barnes Jr. and Madeline (Waffle) Barnes. She grew up with a love of learning, a keen sense of justice, and a curiosity about the world that would later become the foundation of her life’s work.

Cassie graduated from Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Michigan, in 1965. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in French with a minor in History and teaching certification from Justin Morrill College at Michigan State University in 1968. Her exceptional academic performance earned her a full-ride scholarship from the Department of Defense, enabling her to complete a Master of Arts in History at Michigan State University in 1969. Ever driven and intellectually fearless, she later earned her Juris Doctorate “With Distinction” from Thomas Cooley Law School in 1977 and passed the Michigan Bar in 1978.

On August 10, 1968, Cassie married the love of her life, Rodney Daniel Ellis, in Troy, Michigan. Together they shared nearly 60 years of partnership, adventure, and family life. They made their home in East Lansing, previously living in Birmingham, Lansing, Williamston, and Grand Rapids, and they treasured summers in Whitehall and winters on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Cassie’s professional life was defined by service, intellect, and a fierce commitment to fairness. She began her career as Director of the Centennial Farm Program for the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office, Michigan Historical Commission, Division of History (1970–1973). She later practiced law with the firm Morris & Smigiel, specializing in wills, trusts, buy-sell agreements, and corporate and partnership matters. Her dedication to families, farmers, and community continued in her role with the Federal Land Bank (1981–1983) performing estate planning for agricultural families. She then served as a trust officer and financial analyst with Michigan National Bank in Grand Rapids beginning in 1983.

Civically minded and committed to public service, Cassie ran for the Michigan State House in 1992 for the 73rd District in Grand Rapids. She held memberships and leadership roles in numerous professional organizations, including the State Bar of Michigan (Probate Section), the Program Committee of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, the Economics Club of Grand Rapids, the Women’s City Club, the Kent/Ottawa MSU Alumni Association (Vice President), the West Michigan Women Lawyers Association (Board Member), the White Hills Neighborhood Association (Board Member), and White Lake Area Historical Society, and many other clubs, organizations, and associations, over the years.

Her community service extended even more broadly. Cassie founded and led the Haiti Committee at St. Robert’s Church, where she created and sustained the Haiti Sponsor Student Program for 25 years. Her work ensured that 230 students each year—some of the most vulnerable children in one of the world’s most impoverished regions—had the opportunity to attend school from kindergarten through twelfth grade. She traveled to Haiti regularly to understand student and school needs, hand-deliver correspondence to sponsor families, and document the work through photos.

Cassie also served in Grand Rapids on the Executive Board of the Catholic Human Development Office supporting women seeking to break the cycle of domestic violence and helped refugee families with housing and resources. In the Virgin Islands, she participated actively in the community battling against developers to preserve important natural areas on the island, regularly volunteering at the public elementary school (most remembered for teaching the children Cribbage to hone their math skills), avidly participating in bird counts with the Audubon Society, and generous supporting the local catholic church.

Among her many accomplishments, Cassie was deeply proud of helping to place the Heritage Hill Neighborhood of Grand Rapids on the National Register of Historic Places. She truly lived a blessed life, in fact she was personally blessed by Pope John Paul II and also celebrated a golfer’s “hole-in-one” after only playing golf a few times!

Cassie’s passions were abundant. She loved researching her genealogy, compiling family history, reading, gardening, theater, the arts, and cheering on MSU football. She delighted in her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, gathered artwork and treasures from her world travels, and kept an active interest in world news. In the early days of their marriage, Cassie and Rod, sailed the Great Lakes with their son and cat in tow. Later they swapped out their boating adventures for their historic 1921 cottage in Whitehall, which became a cherished gathering place for family and friends. Cassie was also a longtime member of the historic White Lake Yacht Club, an unpretentious sailing community that held a special place in her heart. She was proud to have gotten the WLYC registered as a Michigan Historic Site, which was then commemorated with a Michigan Historical Marker.

Cassie was known for her quick wit, her love of bold colors (especially red), and her refusal to indulge in superficial chatter. She was loyal to those she loved, passionate about justice and protection for the vulnerable, and had an endearing habit of startling easily, yet quick to laugh. She didn’t care much for cooking, but she adored collecting antique dishes. She believed that people who didn’t swear couldn’t be fully trusted—a sentiment her family remembers with great fondness. Cassie’s life can be beautifully summarized in three words: service, determination, and love. She lived each of these fully, faithfully, and with a spirit that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Cassie is survived by her beloved husband Rod; her children Jim Ellis (Heather) and Maggie Terry (Luke); her grandchildren Kennedy, Olivia, Madison, and Adeline; her siblings Jane Cranston (Ed), Marcia Barnes, Jim Barnes (Kathy); her sister-in-law Melody Glick (Bill); and her nieces and nephews Tom, Sarah, Molly, Matthew, Jacob, and Nathan. She leaves behind many dear friends whose lives were enriched by her loyalty, humor, and steadfast care.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Madeline Barnes, and by her grandparents Harry N. Barnes Sr. and Phebe Jane Bartram, and Catherine Ann Gelineau and Ross Waffle.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 14th, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823.

Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, December 15th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 955 Alton Rd., East Lansing. Visitation at the church will be held prior to the service from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. for family and 10:30 am to 11:00 a.m. for friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Haiti Committee of St. Robert’s Church.

Online donations: Visit the St. Robert Church website strobertchurch.org, select “GIVE,” then “Online Giving,” and choose either “Recurring” or “One-time.” Under “Fund,” select “Haiti Fund.”

Mailed donations: Make checks payable to “St. Robert Church” with “For the HAITI MINISTRY” in the memo line. Mail to:

Haiti Ministry, St. Robert Church, 6477 Ada Drive SE, Ada, MI 49301.