Michele Parker

Michele Parker was a talented musician, prolific photographer, passionate teacher, proud mother, and loving wife. She passed away unexpectedly on October 28, 2024, at the age of 72. The close-knit communities she fostered will carry her spirit on for many years to come.

Born on February 16, 1952, Michele grew up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey with her father and mother, Ernest and Vivian Parker. From an early age, Michele fell in love with music. She went on to study violin and viola in college with renowned teachers in Philadelphia and New York City. She received an MA in Musicology from the Rome School of Music at Catholic University of America. She performed professionally in orchestras and chamber ensembles and held a treasured viola position at the Peter Britt Classical Music Festival in Jacksonville, Oregon for almost 40 years, during which she developed a love for the Rouge Valley and its many wineries.

Michele’s affinity for music may have only been surpassed by her passion for teaching. She taught violin and viola to students age 7 through adult and was known for incorporating folk and fiddle music into her students’ repertoire. Additionally, Michele embarked on a second career as a teaching assistant in both Brookline and Newton Public Schools. In June 2024, Michele retired from the Bigelow Middle School after serving as a Special Needs teaching assistant for 13 years.

Michele and her husband, Dr. Perry Belfer moved to Brookline, MA in June 1978 (they just missed the Blizzard of '78). Over their 42 years of marriage, they traveled around the world together - from Morocco to Mexico to Brazil to Austria to China to Thailand and more. By far, her favorite and most memorable trip was to Changsha, China in 1995 to adopt and bring home their daughter, Lia Parker-Belfer.

Along their travels, Michele documented their experiences with striking photographs that captured the essence of their subjects. Over the years, Michele extended her photography beyond travel to nature. After work and on the weekends, when she wasn’t reading about art, history, or trees with her beloved cat, Yoga, on her lap, you could find Michele in Olmstead Park or the Arnold Arboretum (likely near the Dawn Redwoods) with her camera around her neck - taking photographs, talking to the birds, and communing with nature.

Michele is survived by Perry, Lia, and Lia’s fiancé Alex Mitko. She will be remembered for her many talents and pursuits and the cherished communities she cultivated over her lifetime. Michele understood the importance of bringing people together and was a dedicated friend. While she will be deeply missed, her legacy will be carried on by all those who were fortunate enough to know and love her.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 2pm at the Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA. Memorial observance at her late residence will begin on Monday, November 4, 2024 through Wednesday, November 6, 2024 from 5pm to 8pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “In Remembrance of Michele Parker” (https://gofund.me/da54b2ba), a fundraiser to honor and celebrate Michele’s life through a memorial bench in one of her treasured parks.