Michelle was an incredible person and will be missed by all of us fortunate to have had her in our lives.
Despite the circumstances surrounding her passing she never lost herself or ability impact my life.
I know Michelle and Lee as friends of my parents and they did help raise me. Michelle was always tough and was one of the only people in my life to call me on my BS and never let disrespectful behavior stand even if it wasn’t related to her. I think she distilled that in all of us growing up. Michelle also had a soft side growing up and taught me forgiveness as she never turned her back on my father despite all of his shortcomings.
Michelle stayed in my life throughout high-school and college mostly via my mother. She shared all of my family milestones and cried with my mother when I failed and laughed with her when my dreams came true.
When my mother was sick and ultimately passed Michelle was there for us every step of the way. Michelle once again was relentless with her love and a support and never gave up on my mother. I am forever grateful for what she did for us, she restored my faith in humanity, when I had given up.
Since my mother’s death Michelle has been a living link serving as the outlet to my joy when I was blessed with my children. Again I can’t express how much it meant to me to have her come to baby showers, see the first pictures of my babies, and have her remind me how proud and full of love my mother is as she watches over us from heaven. I hope they reunite at the gates.
I am grateful to have had Michelle in my life and offer Lee and Jessica my deepest sympathies. I can only say that this isn’t the end, Michelle will always be with us. Her love and memory is something that changed us all. My only regret is that I didn’t take advantage of all the holiday dinner invites when I could. She could grill some mean venison.