Michelle A. Francoeur

Born on November 27, 1970, in Fall River, Massachusetts, Michelle was the firstborn daughter of Albert and Paulette (Capone) Francoeur. She entered the world with a spirit that seemed destined to shine, and two years later, she was blessed with her baby sister, Jenna. From childhood through her final days, Michelle carried a light that could never be dimmed, and a warmth that drew others in, making them feel seen and loved. Michelle did not simply live life; she felt it deeply, moving through the world with curiosity and compassion.

That same depth of love found its fullest expression when she became a mother. Michelle believed that motherhood was a blessing from God and the role she held closest to her heart. She welcomed her first son, Michael “Patrick,” at the age of eighteen, and her younger son, Kai, at thirty-one, loving her sons with a devotion that shaped every part of her life. Patrick was named after Saint Michael the Archangel, a reflection of the strength Michelle carried within her, and the protective spirit Patrick would come to share. Though their paths began apart, Michelle and Patrick were reunited eighteen years ago, and their relationship was rooted in love and healing. Kai’s name means “heavenly waters,” a beautiful reflection of the place where Michelle’s soul felt most at peace—the ocean. Kai was Michelle’s safe haven. They walked through life side by side, inseparably, facing every challenge together. Through every high and every low, they supported each other without question. No matter the hour or circumstance, she was always there for him, and he was always there for her. To Michelle, being a mother was God’s greatest gift and her life’s most sacred calling. Her spirit and heart will always live on within her sons, carrying her wishes and her legacy.

At the center of Michelle’s life were the people she loved most. Family was Michelle’s greatest treasure. She cherished every phone call, every visit, every hug, and every kiss. Her heart lived within her sons, her parents, her sister, her niece, and the many people she gathered into her circle through love alone.

Guiding her love was a faith that she lived every day. Faith was the anchor of Michelle’s life, and forgiveness and patience were the virtues she held closest to her heart. Her love for God and for Jesus guided every step, becoming the source of her strength. Her Bible was never far from her side, nor was her desire to share God’s love with others. Michelle believed one of the greatest ways to be a light in the world was to reflect the love of God: to listen humbly, speak gently, and to forgive patiently. She lived by the words of John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you.” Her faith found expression in every life she touched, and her wish was for others to grow closer to God and come to know Jesus.

That calling led Michelle to serve others with both heart and purpose. She graduated from Durfee High School (1988), earned her bachelor’s from UMass Dartmouth (1994), and humbly earned her master’s in counseling from Cairn University (2019). She dedicated herself to helping people from all walks of life through Christian counseling and service. Michelle poured her heart into helping others navigate the struggles of this world and offered support to anyone who simply needed someone to listen. From serving the youth, to serving those struggling with homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, and unplanned pregnancies, Michelle knew that the most important part of her work was showing the love of Jesus to those who were hurting or in need. One of her greatest strengths was her ability to truly listen, offering guidance, compassion, prayer, and fellowship. She dreamed of one day opening her own private Christian counseling practice, a place where her wisdom and kindness could continue to heal hearts.

Her journey, like her heart, was never meant to stay in one place. A true free spirit, Michelle’s journey carried her through Massachusetts, Arizona, New Jersey, and Illinois—but wherever she went, she created a home through her kindness and her gift for connecting with others. She loved spending time with her family, painting, traveling, exploring, and gathering small treasures along the way, always leaving behind pieces of her joy.

Above all, her soul found its deepest rest by the ocean. Michelle found peace at the shore, where the waves whispered comfort and the wind carried her prayers. The beach was her sanctuary, and collecting seashells was her way of holding onto moments of beauty. Like the shells she loved, Michelle was gentle yet strong—simple, yet breathtaking. She was a ray of sunshine in human form. Her smile could light the darkest room. Her laughter felt like home. Her love knew no conditions, no limits, and no end.

Michelle was truly a blessing from God, and her spirit was one of a kind. No words or descriptions could ever fully capture the depth and beauty of her soul. To everyone who met her, she was a bright and unforgettable light in the room—radiating care, kindness, and genuine love.

Michelle is survived by her beloved sons, Patrick Eagan (formerly Michael Patrick Francoeur) and Kai Christian Anderson, whom she loved beyond measure; her cherished niece, Ash (Francoeur) Cantrell whom she loved as her own; her loving sister and brother-in-law, Jenna (Francoeur) and Michael Cantrell, who served his country with honor; her devoted parents, Albert and Paulette (Capone) Francoeur; her faithful partner, Larry McDonnell, with whom she reunited after twenty-three years, along with his sons, Brayden, Matthew, and Ryan; and her dearest friends, whom she considered family.

Though Michelle has left this world for Heaven, her love and spirit remain here among those she cherished. They live on in every life she touched, every prayer she whispered, every seashell she collected, and every heart she changed. She is now walking along golden shores—whole, healed, and at peace—forever watching over those she held close, and joyfully reunited with her beloved grandmother, Florence Rigby. Michelle Ann Francoeur will never be forgotten. Her legacy will live on forever and always.

All services will be private.