Michelle passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on January 28, 2024 at the age of 25. Michelle was raised in Gallup, New Mexico and Grand Junction, Colorado. She graduated from R5 High School in 2017 then obtained her CNA license.
Michelle’s favorite movie was Fast & Furious and her favorite love story was Nightmare Before Christmas. Halloween was her favorite holiday and she decorated big every year. She loved to read, mostly true crime and unsolved mysteries. She learned all of the makeup trends and had a high sense of fashion. Every summer, Michelle was the first one to enjoy the swimming pool and loved being outdoors. She would make up funny dance moves just to make people laugh, driving maybe a little too fast to feel the wind in her beautiful hair and rap battles with her friends and siblings brought her a lot of happiness.
Most of all, Michelle loved being a wife to Nathaniel and a mom to her sons Samuel and Leonardo. She took her role as mom seriously but always allowed them to just be boys.
Michelle is survived by her loving husband Nathaniel, her sons Samuel and Leonardo of Fruita CO; mother Christy Sanchez of New Mexico; father Robert and stepmother Karie of Fruita CO; brothers Vince Sanchez and sister-in-law Chelsea of New Mexico; and Robert J Padilla of Fruita CO; sisters April Padilla and sister-in-law Emily Brogden, Layla Baldino, Emily and brother-in-law Kyle Scheve, all of Fruita CO; her grandmother Loura Padilla of Grand Junction CO. Michelle leaves beautiful memories with all of her nieces and nephews, her many cousins, aunts and uncles. She is predeceased by her great grandmother Vicenta Castaneda, her great grandmother Rosie Padilla, great uncle Johnny Padilla and cousins Cesar Retana and Naomi Wildey.
A family visitation will be held 5pm to 7pm Friday, February 2, 2024 at Martin Mortuary, 550 North Avenue, Grand Junction.
Funeral services will be held at 11am Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Victory Life Church, 2066 US-50, Fruita, Colorado.
