Michelle (Wright) Lee

Michelle (Wright) Lee, born to parents Dale and Denyse Wright, was baptized into her faith as a Catholic. Harvey Dale Wright, a handsome military man, hailed from Marceline, Missouri, and met native French Canadian beauty, Denyse, while in San Francisco. The two wed and moved back to Dale’s hometown. Michelle was born on the anniversary of her paternal grandparents in Marceline, Missouri. Michelle was the eldest of 4 children all born within 4 years: Michelle, Harold, Alan, and Lisette were stairsteps in age.

Soon after her birth, Michelle and her parents moved to California to be closer to her maternal grandparents and where her father could find more work after the war.

She and her parents relocated to Northern California soon after she was born. This relocation afforded Michelle, her siblings and cousins’ ample opportunities to run amuck on her grandparent’s ranch, ride into town with their grandfather for root beer floats, and bask in California’s summer sun.

In Michelle’s teen and young adult years, one might say she was a tad bit mischievous; perhaps rebellious, but not a rebel at all! Michelle’s parents owned a gas station and had the opportunities to purchase cars. One lucky day, Michelle was given a convertible pink Cadillac with the one stipulation that she could not receive a ticket in this car. Along with her twin Alan, they cruised the town in Southern California with Michelle behind the wheel of the car and Alan footing the gas bill. On one voyage with her cousin, Cathy Lou, riding shotgun on a beautiful sunny day, Cathy tossed a soda over her shoulder. That soda landed on a police officer who was not particularly enjoying the coolness of the beverage on his clothing from the soda. Long story short, the Cadillac was sold after Michelle was given a ticket for going one mile over the speed limit. Again, as Michelle recounted these events, she always did so with laughter and joy! Many of these adventurous gas-fueled stories shall not be shared in this publication, regardless of their virtue, because they may only be told by those cherished few who can tell them with the pizazz they deserve.

Michelle was on several game shows in the 1970’s and consequently won some once-in-a-life-time gifts. During one such game show, the producers asked her to share a humorous tale of growing up. Michelle delighted in sharing a story of being on her grandparent’s farm and playing outside near her father. Seeing the opportunity to play, she jumped in the farm truck, which was incidentally parked at the top of an incline, and pretended she was shifting gears. The pretending became real when the vehicle’s gear became dislodged, and the truck started to roll in trajectory straight for the homestead. Luckily, her father was able to run alongside the truck, jump in and stop the truck in the nick of time! Another one of her favorite stories about growing up was during one of the special trips she and her siblings took into town with her grandfather. It seems he forgot to bring the kids back to the ranch and left them unattended in town. Michelle did not reflect on this story with fear for herself and siblings/cousins, but she giggled about the uproar it caused to her parents and grandparents.

Michelle’s professional and work life took her all over the globe and provided her vast amounts of talents and personality to shine! In her youth, she would come home from the restaurant with mounts of tips, no doubt due to her beautiful smile as well as her hard work. In the 1970's she was a telephone switchboard operator in Los Angeles – now there are some good stories! She and her husband went on to open Professional Flooring Supply in Texas, which is still family owned today and was awarded a prestigious Baylor University Family-Owned Texas Business award. As a history lover, she went on to become a wedding coordinator and docent in McKinney, Texas. Michelle had an exceptional talent and eye for design! From the time she lived with her parents, she moved furniture in her and her sister’s bedroom and continued to advise family, friends and others on design, texture, and aesthetic design until her last days. She had a firm motto in design which she held fast to bailiwick: less is NOT more! More is more. And, her plan was always better!

Before anything else, however, God and family (biological or logical) were Michelle’s foundation. God and her faith were the fabric of her life. The Bible was constantly near and a Rosary close by. Her sister, Lisette, was more than her sister. The bond they shared was unworldly and remains beyond the limits of earth. Her twin brother Alan (only separated by 4 years) never allowed the miles that separated them to hinder their union. Growing up in California afforded her amazing memories with her cousins on her maternal side as well. The 2nd grandchild to her maternal grandparents, Michelle and cousin Donny became siblings. Michelle’s cousin Mary Helen journeyed through thick and thin together (anddddd cats). Always at the forefront of Michelle’s life were her other cousins and family: the Wrights in Missouri and Casavants in California. Two girls were born to her: Lisalee and Hallie. Also, born via her heart were her stepchildren. All of her children and grandchildren were at the core of her soul – it was for them that her spirit was unwavering. If one of her children or grandchildren would say, “I love you more,” it was most assuredly corrected by her because they could not love them as deeply, vastly, and profoundly as she loved them. But it was her role as a mother, mother-in-love, Grandma and Grammie, that truly showcased the depth of her character.

Michelle lived her life full of vibrant colors - designer colors, no less! Bold and shiny! Never is pastels and clogs. Upon entering her home, one could depend on the fact that she would be listening to music and all the lamps would be on (no overhead lights, she would say, they make you look older). Her songs were eclectic, and the volume was loud. She was a disc ball in the room. She loved art, music, reading, cats, that damn duck and that damn bird. A lover of food & drink, her home was always open to family and visitors. Whether bunco or bingo, she would enjoy life – loudly and full of fun! Whether it was for one hour or a lifetime, Michelle made friends wherever she was. She could connect with someone with a smile and a kind word – almost instantaneously and somewhat magically. Armed with lipstick, a compact, and a rat comb, she was always put together and in fashion. Her mother said that “Michelle never let the grass grow under her feet.” She made things happen! She sprinkled joy into the world, and it was undoubtedly a better place because of her. In the confines of this narrative, no words, no language, no amount of writing can capture Michelle’s life in such a 2D framework: if there is a 10D, she would surpass that as well.

Her bonus family was home grown in Texas with the Aunties and their families. They loved her and she loved them. Avid readers, they all would share and encourage circulating particular books that were well written. When she found her tribe with Lee and Kathryn, they would all jot down the names of the latest books they were all reading, criticize brilliant writing and engage in a book discussion.

While Michelle became Hard of Hearing as a young adult, it was for her son-in-law, Steve (whom she adored) that she learned and mastered American Sign Language (ASL) for. Because of the love and bond that Michelle and Steve shared, Michelle lived with Steve & Lisalee and their family for 22 years. On numerous occasions, she (and others) would enthusiastically declare it was because of Steve and his openness of sharing life together in their home that made her last quarter of a century blissful! Steve wrote of her, “She was not just a mom, she was a superhero without a cape, a guiding light without a lantern, a teacher without a classroom.”

Michelle cherished her dear friends Barbara and Bette, and their families. Barbara was a lifelong friend and cheerleader despite any long stretches of absence when life became busy, while Bette and Michelle shared countless hours talking and laughing while pinning up hair curls in the kitchen. Maria and Charlotte in Maryland become friends that they loved like they had been friends for a lifetime.

We find ourselves in the midst of an ocean of emotions. It’s not easy to say goodbye, especially to a woman like Michelle. She was our guiding star, our greatest mentor, and our dearest friend. Her passing leaves a profound void, yet her spirit continues to surround and guide us. She was rich in compassion, in kindness, in love. She was the kind of woman who knew the joy of being cheerful, the importance of honesty, and the strength of humility. Her life was not an easy journey, but it was one she embarked on with tremendous courage and immense dignity. She loved unconditionally, gave generously, and forgave easily. Her laughter was the soundtrack of our lives, and her smile the beacon of hope for co-existence. She had a way of making the ordinary feel extraordinary, of turning mundane moments into cherished memories. She taught us the importance of wonderance, the power of kindness, and the value of integrity. She taught us to be brave in the face of adversity, to be compassionate in the face of cruelty, and to be humble in the face of accolades. She taught us not just how to live, but how to live well, with faith, with purpose, with passion, with love. Michelle lived her life embracing every moment, cherishing every breath. Her legacy is not just in the years she lived, but in the lives she touched, the hearts she warmed, and the souls she inspired. Her love continues to surround us, her wisdom continues to guide us, and her laughter continues to echo in our hearts.

Michelle is preceded in death and resides with our Heavenly Father by her parents, Dale and Denyse Wright, both of whom were loved and adored by her until her last days; her brother Harold Wright; her stepson Kyle A. Lee; her son-in-law David Wiggins; and her husband, bound by the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, James G. Lee to whom she was divorced.

She is survived by her daughters, Lisalee (Stephen) Egbert, Hallie Wiggins; stepdaughters Faith Rodriguez and Ryann Austin, and stepsons Dan (Debbie) Lee and Mark (Karen) Lee; her Godchildren Lina Foote Engelhardt (niece) and Caitlyn Casavant (cousin); along with grandchildren, their children, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

We are not saying goodbye. Instead, we are saying thank you. Thank you, Mom, for your unwavering love, your endless patience, your invaluable lessons. Thank you for your laughter, your joy, and your guidance. Thank you for being our mom.

Rest in peace, Beloved. You will always be loved, always be missed, and forever be remembered.

To access Michelle’s photo album, music library, and memorial video, please visit https://linktr.ee/michellewrightlee.

In honor of Michelle Lee, please make donations to your favorite library in Michelle's name.

Donations can include your time, donating your favorite book, or funds to honor Michelle.

Donations to Project 4031 are also welcome. https://project4031.org/