Michelle Victoria Howey

When Michelle was a little girl her feet began it itch in the middle of the night. The itch was so terrible and so distressing that she went to her parent’s bedroom for help. Her father said to her “itchy feet mean you will travel to distant lands.”

Michelle loved to tell that story and come to think of it, she never really said how her parents helped her with her itchy feet. But she did tell us that she took those words to heart and in her lifetime, she certainly did travel.

Michelle had a handful of great loves in her life. Her family, Christmas, Elvis, Motown, a good book, a good martini or glass of Chardonnay and traveling.

Along with her husband Clint, they embarked on road trips and went on 35 cruises. Their favorite cruise was to the British Isles. Their last cruise was with their daughter Jocelyn and her husband Rob around the Hawaiian Islands.

While Clint was Michelle’s loving husband, Michelle will be the first to tell you that Elvis was her first love. She grew up in an era of great music with Elvis songs and Motown Music. She was raised just outside of Detroit and had the great fortune of seeing many great acts and dancing to amazing music at a recreation center near her home. She often told of seeing Stevie Wonder when he was young and sitting next to Diana Ross.

When they weren’t traveling, Michelle and Clint threw incredible dinner parties. The house was beautiful, the food was great, and nobody had an empty glass. Best of all, their friends and family knew they were welcomed and loved.

Michelle was a wonderful storyteller. Whether she was sharing a funny moment, something unexpected, a story from her travels, or even a serious experience, she had a gift for painting such vivid pictures with her words that people couldn’t help but lean in and listen.

Michelle was a trusted friend and someone you leaned on for wisdom. But the best part was when you made her laugh. When Michelle laughed, it felt like for a second that the whole world would be just fine.

Michelle was the oldest sister to Jamie, Mark, Ricky and Deana. Her older brother, Danny was waiting for her in Heaven. She loved her siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and extended family fiercely. She was truly her happiest when she was among them.

She was also a great friend to many in Tucson, the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

A devoted mother she raised a daughter - Jocelyn - who knew that her mom was on her side. Jocelyn can still feel how her mother’s hand felt in hers. She can hear her mother’s laugh. She remembers amazing Christmases, family vacations and birthdays. She remembers simply having her mom by her side.

Michelle met her husband Clint in Heaven 147 days after he left this Earth. She passed away after hearing some of her favorite songs. When you hear “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Theme from a Summer Place,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” and “Amazing Grace” please think of Michelle. And know that she passed peacefully with her daughter at her side after listening to “Once, Twice, Three Times a Lady.”

We think that Clint was up there first so he could be sure everything was just right for the arrival of Michelle. He needed the music just right, everyone they loved in Heaven was invited to join the party and he needed to shake his beloved wife the perfect martini. We think maybe she went to a party on a big cruise ship in the sky where Elvis played in the theater and Motown was playing in the nightclub.

It’s hard to imagine that Michelle is gone. A friend, a sister, a wife, a mom, a strong spirit. But each time we dance, we laugh, we travel to a new place, we finish a great book or sip a great drink a little piece of Michelle will be there with us and for that, we are forever grateful.

Thank you, Michelle. We love you and we hope that you and Clint will hold a place for us on that great big cruise ship in the sky, we’d love to join you on the dance floor.