RIP Michelle

 On Mon, May 31, 2021 at 1:33 AM Bridget Kelly wrote:

Dear Friends,

Regretfully, Michelle Fuller lost her difficult battle with lung cancer today.  She was diagnosed almost two years ago but was able to work right up to the last month.  Michelle was a Physician Assistant in Florida.  Of course, Vanessa had been in constant contact with Michelle right up to the end and she was just a great friend.

At this time, no funeral arrangements have been shared with us but I will let you know when we hear anything. 

As you may recall, when Michelle Meehan died, we collected funds and gave a $500 award to a junior at MMA.  We made the presentation at our 45th reunion.  Afterwards, Michelle Fuller chastised me for only including Michelle in this memorial award.  She thought we should have honored all of our classmates who have died. And she volunteered to raise funds again for our 50th reunion with this thought in mind.  Does this idea appeal to any of you and, if so, would any of you like to organize this award? Let me know.

I will always remember Michelle as a strong-willed, passionate person who spoke her mind and was comfortable in her own skin. I am so sorry that her death was so difficult.  I am sure that the isolation of covid just compounded her challenges. But I am comforted in knowing that she is no longer in pain.  And so  I hope the rest of you are well and managing these challenging times.  

Stay well,

Bridget Kelly

 

There were 50 females in my graduating class.  Now there are only 44 of us. Here are a few responses from my high school classmates:

MPR: So very sorry to hear of the passing of Michele, our friend and MMA sister.  I am very grateful I was able to spend the weekend of our 45th reunion with her 3 years ago. She was always so much fun.  May she Rest In Peace, she is now an Angel who will continue to be with us - we will hold her in our hearts.  Love to you all. Please count me in to help in any way. 

JJG: I am so sorry to hear the news about Michelle.  Knew it was coming but still found it hard to believe.  I will always remember her as a vibrant and fun loving person.  One big consolation is that she is no longer in pain.  Michelle will be truly missed.  May she Rest In Peace. Please let me know if you need additional assistance.

ROK: Bridget, thanks for sharing this news with us. I did hear that she was not well but it is hard to believe that she was taken from us at such a young age.  Michelle was so full of life and always had a smile on her face. She brought many people joy with that smile. I will be more than happy to help organize a donation in her name and for all of those that have passed in our class. 

MDD: Did you want to do something now or wait until the 50th?   

CCS: So sorry to hear of this news . I remember how much fun she was in school
And at our last reunion weekend at Merion . I have so many great pictures from that weekend .  Love to her and all of you . We surely will miss her ! 

HWP: Vanessa I am so glad Michelle had you as a very dear friend. Michelle was a gift, a fierce woman who lived life on her own terms. I am so happy she realized her dream of living & working in Florida. I am sure she had many more dreams like Greece....may her zest for life be a testament to all of us. Cease The Day! I think we could wait until our 50th reunion and at that time gift an award in not only Michelle's name but in the name of all who have gone before in our class. Bridget I would be happy to help organize this award....Any helpers?

KHK: Helen, Of course, count me in. 

MMC: Thank you Vanessa and Bridget for bringing us this sad news. Life is so very short. We were all lucky to have known Michele and have been touched by her incredible spirit. The world is a bit dimmer today. I pray that we will all be together again someday free from disease and pain. 

CDG   I am so sad to hear about Michelle. I really regret not being able to make any of the recent reunions. I am so sorry that I wasn’t able to reconnect with her after high school.  Thank you for sharing this sad news. Love to you all.

RR: The last time I saw her — last October — she was so frail and unsteady on her feet.   She told me that the rounds of chemo she had endured had no effect and that she was going to try an experimental treatment next . . . A few days after our lunch together on Rittenhouse Square.   She said ‘I’ll never be cured but at least, if this experimental treatment works, I could live another two or three years’ . . . She so wanted that . . . She and Vanessa were all booked to take a trip to Greece in June — now — and she was so looking forward to that . . . To mark the 50th anniversary of their first trip there together when we were Sophmores in high school.

She was smart as twenty people all put together . . . Smart, wise and a very astute observer of human behaviors . . . I never had to finish a sentence for her because she understood everything from the second word and finished my sentences for me . . . I will miss that wisdom and that level of brilliance.   I am so sorry for us that we lost her above all because she was so unique, such a bright light.   People such as she don’t happen often in life and I hope we’ll all be together again one day in Paradise.Many good wishes and lots of big love to you all.

DBD:  So very sorry to hear this very sad news....what a fun and happy girl she was 😢🙏🏻

KFB  This breaks my heart. I was holding out hope that she would recover. It was wonderful to reconnect with her these recent years. So glad she made it to Florida. She was very much looking forward to that move. And she was wonderful to her mother all these years. Beautiful, spirited soul.  Thank you Vanessa for keeping us connected to her. Especially sorry for your loss. Take care all.

MDC: Bridget,  I am so sad to hear of Michelle's passing.  I have a niece in ICU health care and she has told me of how sad for the patient, family and friends during COVID.  I can not take on the fund raising right now, but would be happy to see this done for out 50th reunion year.  I will be thinking of everyone and what we have gone thru this year.  Hoping things get better soon.

CSG:  Thanks for letting us know. It is just so sad. I remember her as being so lively with a quick smile. She was sweet to everyone. None of us will forget her.

HD: So very sad.  Michelle was one of a kind and can never be forgotten. I loved her strength & personality, she just made smile.  Thank you Bridget.