The Funeral Service
After watching the service online, if you can leave a guest message to let the family know you have joined into the service, that would be greatly appreciated.
This service will have a password applied once edited (normally within 3 to 5 days following the service), you will then need to contact the family for the password to access.
April 12, 2022.
What a beautiful and emotionally moving celebration of and tribute to Michelle’s life. I only found out late yesterday, that Michelle had passed away after an illness. It was such a shock, to think that someone who was so vibrant and present and had such a sense of joy and zest about her, and who wasn’t old and at the end of her life, in the old age conventional sense, could possibly be gone. Wow! I truly feel like one very bright light has been diminished here on earth and we who are still on earth, are the poorer for that light going out.
I first met Michelle in December 2000, when I walked into Winepress Church for the very first time. A lapsed Christian, new to the area with no established local friends at that point , in my early 30s and single, the church seemed full of marrieds, families and noisy, energetic kids of all ages. Although I enjoyed the sermon from the bloke with the accent (Arthur), it was Michelle’s warm welcome that drew me back the following week and the many weeks after that until I felt connected.
I can truly say, having tried many churches over the years, that I have never received such a warm and genuine welcome. With so many people coming and going, I was amazed on my second visit that Michelle managed to remember my name, let alone some of my background which she had managed to elicit from me the first visit, and with accuracy enough to introduce me to someone else by way of some of my story.
I ended up attending Winepress for about 12 or so years and the thing that stood out to me about Michelle was that she oozed, radiated, was bathed, in an incredible joy and zest for life, to the degree that I have honestly seldom met another person who wore joy, like it was enmeshed in their skin, the way that Michelle did. She always seemed to be genuinely interested in people and what they had to say and when she needed to move on from greeting a newcomer, she would always make sure that she had introduced that newbie to someone else who would help extend the welcome.
The other things that come to my mind about Michelle are her sense of being real, her authenticity, her warmth, her passion for trying something new within the church as a way of reaching others about Jesus, and that she always seemed like she had a million things on the go – in a positive way, at the one time. I was privileged to help out on the cooking team for several years at the Single Parent Dinner, which I believe was an initiative of Michelle’s.
I’ll also always remember Michelle sharing during a sermon about her hippy days and how she didn’t wear underwear! When she shared that, I remember that she laughed and said something like “oops – too much information”, then laughed at herself for over sharing and carried on with her message. I was shocked that anyone would admit that, but it also showed that Michelle was not a person who hid her past, her flaws and her true self, as was evident in many of her sermons where she used experiences and examples from her life to illustrate a point in her message.
To Mick, Orien, Levi and extended family, what an amazing wife, mother and grandmother you had – thank you for sharing her with the world. I am truly sorry for your loss. X
Michelle, it’s been many years since I last had the pleasure of speaking with you, but thank you for your warm and caring nature, your authenticity, your teachings through your sermons, through the STEPPS course and your open heart to people and to Jesus. May you now enjoy your rewards in Heaven and may the impact you had on many lives locally and overseas, live on, multiply and be impactful in outwardly rippling circles.
RIP, and I note that you would have been turning 62 tomorrow on 13 April so I hope you get to have celebration cake in heaven!
Thank you for your light, encouragement and positivity you shared with me during my time at the Winepress.
With sincere regards
Wendy Beavis
Michelle was one in a million. She was ambitious & dedicated to all she did. My sincere condolences & heartfelt sympathy to Mick & the family. May you feel God’s love, comfort & peace. Amen
Rest In Peace Michelle.
I remember the first time I met Michelle I was not in a good place, she welcomed me with open arms to the art class for depression. Through this class I got to know Michelle and attended Kalidescope and got to know a community of people. I remember to the end of the class I was hospitalised and Michelle messaged me and told me she would visit. At the time I didnt expect her to, as she was such a busy lady, she bought Trudy along and they both suprised me but I didnt realise that Trudy was coming and Michelle looked at me as if to say what am I chopped liver, far from it is what I replied. A few years on from that she married me and my husband and I have to thank her for being part of one of the best days of my life. I am sending my love and big hugs to all of Michelle’s family and friends. I was truely blessed to have her in my life. xoxo
Beautiful Michelle. I still can’t believe you’ve gone. I remember the days of those early Greek classes, celebrating our Masters graduation together and reflecting on where our different ministry pathways have taken us. Intelligent, creative, warm – yours was a life well lived. Thank you for your heart of faithful service, your kindness, your courage and the stunning legacy you have left behind. So much love to Mick Sanders and the family. Xxx