Caitlin Casamo (Hoffman)

I first met Caitlin at Park Merced apartments near San Francisco State University. Both our daughters had been accepted and we were looking for housing for them. I just got a really good feeling about Caitlin and Natalie. She came up and introduced herself and started speaking and it seemed like we had a lot in common and the girls did too. We decided to let the girls move in as roommates together. It was the best decision and they’ve become great friends for many years now. When I was working overseas, I felt so comforted to know that Caitlin was near my daughter with Natalie while they attended university. She will live in the hearts of many and be greatly missed.

My deepest condolences to Natalie and all of Caitlin‘s family.

Om Nama Shivaya

When my son began struggling in junior year, I wasn’t sure what to do. We received an informal diagnosis of ADHD. When he started senior year I loaded him up with tutors and requests to go to office hours, but nothing was helping. I ran into a neighbor whom I know had a son who had been diagnosed with ADHD several years earlier and I asked him what he did and my neighbor said “Caitlin Hoffman saved my son‘s life.” I called Caitlin and my son and I looked into Academic Coaching Works! My son immediately saw the value and I can confidently say, Caitlin Hoffman saved my son‘s life. He jumped in with both feet and followed everything she said and ended his senior year with high SAT test scores, high AP test scores, and great grades. Most importantly- he got his self-confidence back. Now he’s a thriving sophomore in college, still having to utilize the skills and techniques he learned with Caitlin- sometimes more than others. But thanks to Caitlin and her loving and wise care for her students my son was not lost academically. I was so sorry to hear of this unexpected loss to all of us who loved and appreciated Caitlin. But my heart will forever be full of gratitude for the impact she had with my son.

I was deeply saddened to hear about her loss. Her unwavering dedication and passion as a coach have made a profound impact on my life. Her guidance has not only helped me navigate my inquiries but has also inspired me to strive for my best. Your love for your clients shines through in everything you do, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have learned from you.

Please know that you are in my thoughts during this difficult time. You are such an amazing mom and truly a great person. Thank you for everything "Miss Caitlin"

Thank you Caitlin. I. love you and cannot thank you enough for all you were to my family and me, and to so many others. You listened to and lived in that deep calling we all have to be there for others, to leave this world a better place. And you did it oh so well. Rest now in peace my dear friend. ~ As you often said to me, and in what were your last words to me . . . Au revior! À bientôt!

This poem is written for Cailin, whom I never met but who's spirit passed mine on a sunny Wednesday morning next to the sea. You seemed like an amazing person on this earth. Fly high.

Screaming from the shores, screaming from the sand…
“Why have you, oh great sea, why have you taken my love from me?”

“To the people of the land, people of the rocks and the trees
Don’t you understand the souls I’ve set free?

My waves a greeting, my waves call out
My sparkling waters drawing curious creatures and humans throughout.
Across many lands, across many peoples
My rhythm mesmerizes people without a doubt.

In my waters whales sing, in my waters jellyfish sting.
In my waters dolphins play .
The circle of life is on full display.

People of the trees, you are part of this story. You are welcome in. Our world is yours.
Just remember the circle of life doesn’t stop at my shores.
Come to play, come to swim but remember sweet loves the tides are strong and waves make you spin.

Oh people of the land, rocks and the trees,
I mourn with thee.
My salty waters, tears of many.
But remember sweet loves, I can tell you true
the soul of your loved one is set free and surrounding you.

The soul is free, not bound by the cold waters.
The soul is free not in pain from earthly bothers.
The soul is free and happy as a clam, and I would know, they inhabit my sands.

My waves push hard to send spirits homeward.
They are surrounding you today and every moment onward.
You are not alone will never be.
You are not alone until your own spirit is set free.
On a warm gentle wind,
Please come back and visit me.”

The Sea

When we arrived in California, Caitlin scooped us up in a family circle of love with her goodness and fun-loving spirit. She was such a wonderful aunt to Tyler! As an educator, I will miss her unique perspective on education and her vision of helping children and teens realize their true potential and magnificence.

Caitlin, you inspire me with your great joy, love and generosity always. you are a great friend to us. when we connected in person or on phone, even though not that often, i was uplifted and heart-opened by your vitality and life-giving being. your resiliency was inspiring also. always coming back stronger from whatever challenges happened. You have a tremendous capacity for giving. Whatever you did, being a mother, wife, business owner, coach, teacher, gardener, nutritious cook, healing your body, you did with great gusto and with perfection, accomplishing what was best for all involved. we loved your thanksgiving dinner parties. you made us feel deeply loved and like an important part of your family. we miss your physical presence, and your heart essence remains with us, inspiring us always. we love you, Karen and Michael.

Caitlin created a fulfilling space in my families life. She is so important to my wife and children she will always be there with us

When we learned of Caitlin's passing, we were in shock as she touched our family's life in so many ways. To be honest, it's only today that I can bring myself to write these words. I am forever grateful that Caitlin came into our lives. She is a force and we are grateful to have her teach, advocate, counsel, love and laugh with Nic and our family.
I will miss Caitlin's passion for life, wisdom, knowledge, kindness and compassion. In my heart, she will continue to be a part of our family.
Our deepest condolences to Caitlin's family. She is an amazing person and we are grateful that you shared her with us.

If there are common threads among those who have posted their memories of Caitlin, it seems she will be most remembered for her honesty, her passion of helping and teaching others, her witty sense of humor, her love of adventure, and most definitely her uniqueness.

It was a pleasure getting to know my loving cousin, and I sincerely wish that we had been able to spend more time together. She was a wonderful communicator who loved to pick up the phone; always with an eagerness to listen and learn, and express her sentiments. She loved having real conversations about family and life.

She shall return again and again in my mind and in my heart -- as she will return in all of our hearts!

My heart goes out to Natalie, Holden, to others in her family, her beloved friends, and to everyone who loved her. Caitlin, you were one of the best!

To grieve Caitlin is to try to catch my breath, to brood, to shake my head, to take a really deep breath (one she would approve of), and then to smile, and shake my head again. Caitlin didn’t know me, my story, the details, my accomplishments, my regrets, but she recognized me. And if Caitlin recognized you, she knew you and she loved you, with her whole being. And as Natalie said so perfectly, she didn’t care, only the core mattered. We were only physically together a handful of times, one particularly intense time when she was barely 3 years old and I was 13, but we communicated through the magic of technology, or just magic, or maybe spirit. Fierce, stubborn, driven, proud, intolerant (like a lot of the Casamos), but also light and funny and wicked, also like a lot of the Casamos, but Caitlin was open, or she tried to be. She told so many stories, she hit so many commonalities, she laughed at herself, she laughed at us, she laughed, and she desperately wanted communion. We live in our little bubbles and sometimes they are just so fragile, and we don’t touch. Caitlin hated to make mistakes, was unrelenting on herself, was a ferocious judge. I recognized her too. And now we are left to ponder her forever, to love her forever, with those to whom we are bonded by mysterious strands of DNA, or by our memories, each of us holding little pieces of the grand puzzle of our being. The last thing Uncle Bill said to me was, Stay Brave, it was always his way of saying goodbye. So, stay brave and hello.

Dear Ladybug,
I keep listing to your voice text message you left me. I am in shock. I am walking around the house in tears. Whenever somebody asks how my day is I tell them about how Im going to miss my friend.
We talked everyday sometimes multiple times a day. A 20 year friendship and all our talks will be missed. I loved the way you screamed when we laughed. You listened to all my ups and downs. We talked about things we never talked about this last year. So much fun talking to you on your drives. Thanks for helping me out in a pinch without me even asking.
So what will I do now? I am so sad and heartbroken. My stomach hurts. I can't believe you are not going to call me to tell me about your day and tell me what's going on.
I LOVE YOU LADYBUG.
See you when I get to heaven.

What an honor it was to know Caitlin. She was a talented, professional and genuine person who cared deeply about her clients and their families. She was a rare and precious find for me in the educational community. I’ll never forget our long telephone conversations and how I always looked forward to hearing her perspective.
Her gifted insights will live on in all with whom she worked.

Caitlin was the most amazing woman I’ve have ever met. She believed in me more than anyone I knew. She helped me grow and showed me how smart I can be. Cailtin made you feel so special no matter what. I’m so lucky to have had the chance to work with her throughout the years. I love you Caitlin thank you for absolutely everything❤️

Caitlin,
I am saddened and and shocked to hear of your passing. You were a true warrior in support of education for those who struggled and an inspiration to families all over the South Bay. I knew from the moment we met at your office in Campbell that you were the real deal, a true believer of the ability of any student to achieve. The world will miss you. My son Justin is grown now and had we not worked with you I'm not sure of what the outcome would have been. I had not seen you for a bit and my heart aches with the news of your departure from this world. You were (and are) a true star.

My husband and I first met Caitlin when our son was a freshman in high school and struggling to pass his freshman year, my son’s school counselor suggested Caitlin's business, All Minds Matter, as a resource to help him.
From the very first meeting, Caitlin’s directness stood out. She was blunt in her assessment of our son—calling him a "little brat"and stubborn —which, deep down, we knew to be true, but it was something we needed to hear.

That honesty became the foundation of a deep relationship that lasted throughout our son’s high school years. He attended All Minds Matter regularly, and over time, we built a wonderful bond—Caitlin with my son, and Caitlin with me. She became more than just a mentor; she was a cherished part of our family’s journey.

Just earlier this year, she ran into my son and shared how incredibly proud she was of the man he’s become. They had a conversation filled with warmth and love, and she called me afterward to express her joy. I could feel the love and energy radiating through that phone call—Caitlin's pride was palpable.

Caitlin was a light that will never dim. Her unique spirit—so loving, passionate, and intelligent—touched countless lives. She will forever be in our hearts.

Caitlin,
My incredible academic coach who was a true beacon of light in my life. You were more than just a guide; you were a devoted ally who fought by my side to ensure I received a quality education, while also supporting my battle with mental health. Your impact on my life, and surely many other families, went far beyond your role of academic coaching; you became like family to me and my parents. You have touched so many lives with your kindness and dedication. Thank you, Caitlin, for being a guiding light, a helping hand, and a true inspiration to me. You will always hold a special place in my heart!

Oh Caitlin - I feel such profound sense of loss with your passing. You have given so much to our family. Like many others, we found you during a time of uncertainty and vulnerability, and you filled us with hope, confidence, and a tremendous amount of joy. Your ability to reach the hardest-to-reach teens was something to behold. I loved our conversations and seeing your business evolve. You were always evolving — but the mainstay was helping your students navigate an increasingly challenging world. Now we will have to draw on the skills you’ve developed in us. We promise to make you proud, and to pay it forward to others. I would tell you to rest in peace, but that’s not exactly your vibe. Your energy continues to vibrate. Shine bright dear friend.

Caitlin, or Madame Hoffman (as I called her), was one of my very favorite middle school teachers. For three years, she created a safe space for me not only to learn, but to heal in the wake of unthinkable tragedies within my own family. Her support was invaluable to me, especially at such a formative age. She instilled within me a deep love for the French language and culture that paved many roads forward for me, ultimately leading to me meeting my husband in Europe after working in France after college. Funny to think that I might not have met him had it not been for Mme. Hoffman. Like so many others, I am deeply saddened to hear of her tragic passing. I'll think of her every time I hear Pink Martini, or eat a crepe covered in Nutella. I'm sending so much love to my old dear friend Natalie, and to all of Caitlin's family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time. Tu me manques, Mme. Hoffman. Merci pour tout.

Caitlin, it was an honor to know you. You were in every way a remarkable human being.

Dear Caitlin, I was shocked to hear of your recent passing. I recall fondly all the times I subbed for you at Redwood Middle School, the times we had lunch in Los Gatos, and the visit to see Frans Lanting's photographs in Santa Cruz. When you were going through a hard period just before you moved to Los Gatos, you came to the SRF temple in Los Gatos with me to learn meditation. I treasured knowing you. In divine friendship always. Chuck

I am feeling this loss deeply and so I know that you and so many others are, as it has been several years since our son went to Caitlin for after-school sessions in Campbell. She was always supportive and encouraging and also always willing to say the difficult things. She touched so many lives in such a positive and impactful way. I am still stunned at this reminder that we do not know how much time is left. Sending positive energy, prayers and hugs.

Dear Caitlin,

I am so saddened to hear of your passing. You are like a bonus mom in my high school memory when Natalie and I were closest. Most importantly you helped me during the most difficult time of my life when my own mom battled cancer and passed. You hired me as a tutor and gave me a sense of purpose while I took a year off from college to care for her. You played a huge part in my ability to survive that year and continue my education after. Like so many others, you touched my life and I am forever grateful. Thank you for seeing me and supporting me when I didn’t even know I needed it. Thanks for allowing me to sleep over when my house lost power. Thank you for all your kindness and understanding during those hard times. Thanks for all the laughter we shared. Our world is darker without you, but the other side is now much brighter. Until we meet again 💙

Caitlin,
It’s so hard to understand what happened, and mostly why. It’s hard to find the right words…But what I deeply think is that you were such an amazing and unique human being. There is only one Caitlin like you. The last time I saw you, you woke us up me and my dad at 5 am to do some crazy yoga in the trees. I loved that crazy fun side of you. I loved how great you were in listening, giving advices, frequently about my love life lol. I also loved your perfume, Mure & Musk, it was fitting you so well. I wish I could have told you all of this when you were here. You will always be in my heart.
I love you ❤️
Salomé

Thank you Caitlin in believing in children education - even when parents (such as myself) found it hard. They are going to make it through college and you were a big part of that becoming an educational advocate for them at a critical time. You will be missed but not forgotten.

I loved Caitlin. Being around her was always a treat. She had an air of excitement and energy about her and when she talked to you she would give you her full attention. Many people do not do this, but Caitlin did. She would listen to what you had to say and take you in, often with a slight smile that she was containing. When we spoke, I felt that she was searching to find ways to lift me up. I always left conversations with her feeling energized and empowered. It’s an honor to’ve known her and I'll miss her.

Natalie, I am absolutely stunned and shocked. Your Mother exuded such a tremendous vitality and joy for life, healing and growth by moving forward and embracing change. I can’t believe such a mystical creature has left us so soon, but am
comforted that so many of her best attributes- kindness, intellectual thirst, and courageous actions will live on through you . Please reach out anytime if I can ever help you in anyway.

Dear Caitlin,
You were there for me during my toughest times. You provided me guidance and were a major part of my growth as a person and as a business person. My love for you has always been very deep since I met you at Redwood Middle School in 7th grade. You always told me what I needed to hear versus what I wanted to hear and that was impactful for me and life changing. I believe our bond right from the start was special and strong and that is why we have stayed so close over many years. I wish I could have one last coffee with you or one last spontaneous phone call to catch up and ask for your guidance. You were one of the most special people I have ever had the privilege to know and I will continue to hold my memory of you very close to my heart, forever. Rest in peace, Caitlin <3
Love,
Jimmy

Beautiful Caitlin,
I am so grateful I got to share time with you. You are a brilliant shining star that I will greatly miss. I loved laughing and crying with you. Thank you for always being you. I will continue to hold you and all of your loved ones in my prayers. You will be missed more than words can express. I love you.

Ma très chère sœur, tu me manques déjà, toi qui si riche en humanité-amitié-parentale, m’a tant de fois apporté bon conseil, toi avec qui je partage mes plus anciens souvenirs d’enfance, et d’adolescence, toi avec qui nos échanges sont d’une transparence et d’une franchise absolue, Je suis aujourd’hui orphelin de toi, de ta joie de vivre, de ton enthousiasme, de tes fous rires qui n’appartiennent qu’à toi et de ton énergie à revendre.
Je suis bien loin de toi, mais tu me manques déjà…
Ton frère en France

I will always remember one of the sweetest women I have ever met...I am so saddened by all this and will miss you dearly my friend 🧡

Caitlin positively effected so many lives, our world will be less without her, RIP my friend

There are no words to describe how thankful I am to have met and worked with Caitlin. Rest in peace, you are so missed!

Caitlin, what an amazing woman. She took my son under her wing as we were getting our bearings with our son's diagnosis. Nathan loved seeing Caitlin and all the other tutors every day after school. She provided direction and comfort. We are forever grateful for her kindness.

In honor of Caitlin, for the Casamos, and most of all for Natalie - I send my most broken-heartfelt condolences.
Goodbye beautiful Caitlin. Rest in peace.

Caitlin was a force and we’re saddened and shocked beyond words to hear of her passing. Her wit, patience, humor and dedication to her students was unparalleled. I can’t even imagine where Gabe would be without her help and all of her educators at Academic Coaching. This is a tremendous loss for the community and us personally, we loved and adored Caitlin greatly. Our hearts are with her family.

Tracy and I are devastated by the news of Caitlin’s passing. She meant so much to our family and we treasured the time and work she did with Gabe. She was brilliant, funny, personable and we are so thankful to have had her in our lives. Our prayers go out to her loved ones. Below is a picture of Caitlin and Gabe during his retreat in Maine.

To our beloved Caitlin and all the family and friends whose lives have touched: I will be forever, grateful for knowing you, your spark, as a child, who I’ve known since you were 12, and the beautiful way you evolved as a person filled with joy, sadness, authenticity, generosity, and more. I picture you on our deck playing your harmonium as you chanted with Sat and me. Love forever.

❤️