Michele Lee (McNeil) Hanks, 47, of Independence, MO, died on Thursday, December 6, 2018. Michele was born on April 2, 1971, in Arlington, VA, to James and Janet (Westmoreland) McNeil. After graduating from Lee’s Summit High School and attending Longview Community College, Michele lived for a period in Chicago before returning to the area. She worked in several positions before operating and owning her own business. Michele was loved by every child she encountered, was a wonderful cook and baker, was always willing to lend a helping hand, and had an extremely generous spirit. Her favorite destination was Hawaii, where she hoped to someday retire to.
She was preceded in death by her father and grandparents. Survivors include her husband, Matthew Hanks, her son, Austin Wright, her mother, Janet McNeil, her step-mother, Gill McNeil, her sisters, Pamela Davis (Les) and Kristina Sloan (Skye), and her father and mother-in-law, Loren and Barbara Hanks. Michele will also be forever remembered by her numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and dear friends. There will be a celebration of life gathering on 12/15/18 from 12-4pm at the home. (816) 295-6420. Donations in memory of Michele can be made to Hope for the Holidays, a local event sponsored by 98.9 FM to help families during the holidays, by dropping off a donation at any local US Bank location and telling them to deposit it into the Hope for the Holidays account.
