Michelle Leigh Harmon

Michelle Leigh St. Clair Harmon (August 1, 1970 – April 29, 2014)

Born in Santa Rosa, California, Michelle grew up in Guerneville and spent her life spread across Sonoma, Lake, and Colusa Counties. Because she spent so much of her youth moving around, the deep friendships that she developed were rare, but strongly cherished. An adventurous spirit filled with wanderlust, Michelle was always happy to adapt! The youngest and only girl of seven children, she married Martin Aaron Harmon in 1988. Together, they had three children (Alyssa, age 25; Aaron, age 21; and Eric, age 12) who were the driving forces of her life. Michelle was devoted to her family and to volunteering. She attended Sierra College and became a medical assistant; she worked geriatrics to pediatrics and holds a fondness for many medical professionals in the area. The family focus in healthcare extends to the clinical with Michelle. She loved her "gory" side, and always asked doctors to give her the news straight. Even while the cancer wore her away, she kept optimism by reading about advances in medical technology and was always fascinated by the progress made by doctors and scientists in the medical field. She had a love of medicine, and she traveled to the ocean at every available occasion.

As a note to her children, Michelle left them this word of advice:
"To Dot, Aaron, and Bug, My children, my loves, my life. I DEMAND your lives accept the joys and happiness to be had, you just have to see it. All of you, especially Eric, have had enough loss and sadness. It's time for some good."

When we think of Michelle, may we remember the fierce love that she held for all who were dear to her, and her eagerness to help anyone she could.