Mrs Michelle Catherine Heeringa Lawson

Michelle C. Lawson, aged 31 of Grand Rapids, passed away unexpectedly Friday, June 1, 2007. Surviving are her husband of 6 years, Butch; her son, Seth; mother, Laura Coates, father, Dale and Katherine Heeringa; mother-in-law, Lorraine and Sammy Vega; father-in-law, Daryl and Bess Lawson; her sisters and brothers, Stacy and Eric Lopez, Nichole Heeringa, Matt Heeringa, Kimberly and Scott Wollney, Denny and Sheri Frantz; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Reyers North Valley Chapel with Rev. Chuck VanLente officiating. Interment in Rosedale Memorial Park. If you would like to pay your respects to Michelle, please visit the chapel from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday. To leave a lasting tribute or fond memory of Michelle, go online to www.mem.com.

Michele Catherine Lawson was my first born child of 4 between her father Dale Heeringa and myself, Laura Coates. Following her came 2 other sisters and a brother. Their names are Stacy, Nichole and Matthew. She has an older brother and an older sister from a previous marriage of her dad and their names are Denny and Kim. She also leaves behind her a wonderful step-mother Katherine and 2 step sisters from this marriage by the name of Christina and Cherie'. Michelle has many many nephews and nieces also.

She was born on May 26, 1976 at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan at exactly 12:00 noon. Right from the beginning she was very strong and a very happy baby. She was born in the Bicentennial year, our country's 200th birthday and it was also the year of our Presidential election. President Gerald Ford was the President when she was born and then later that year he lost out to Jimmy Carter.

Just before Michelle turned 4 months old she developed Hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and had her first major surgery where a valve was implanted in her head and a shunt was connected. Her dad and I were told that she would be very mentally handicapped for the rest of her life. I believe at that young age Michelle first developed he "Strong Will" because she beat the odds and proved the doctors wrong and she earned the title "The Miracle Child" by Dr. Gracias as he always called her as she grew up. He spoke of her case often.

Michelle was baptized into the Catholic faith at St. James Church on October 24th, 1976. Her Godparents are my sister Barb and Denny's brother Sparky.

She attended grade school at Sibley and Straight and graduated from Union High School. During her younger years she played soccer, took Baton lessons, joined the Girl Scouts but she sure loved to entertain with her songs and dance.

She developed many strong friendships during her life. The most loved and cherished friend she had was Gwen Staszewski. They grew up together and were as close as sisters and they carried that friendship through thick and thin and Gwen became a huge part of our family and always will be.

Michelle was loving, loyal, kind and giving. She could also be the most stubborn person you could ever run across. She spoke her mind and you always knew where you stood with her. She had her moods too! God the girl could get ornery and sometimes drive you crazy, but no matter what, you always knew she loved you and she would be there for you if you needed her.

Michelle had a very unique relationship with her sisters Stacy and Nikki and her brother Matt. They had their sibling fights but they were very protective and loyal to each other. The love of family was always most important to her and she had that special bond with all of us that could never be broken or replaced. She also had a close relationship with her Grandparents and relatives and was well known for her gift to talk and talk which I am sure we will all miss at some time.

She met Butch in High School and later became his wife. Butch proposed to her on a mountain in California and they were married on June 16, 2001 at Faith Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids. Michelle also has a very close relationship with all her In-laws whom she loved dearly and always spoke of them quite often. To Loraine, Sammy, Darryl and Bess, Tonya, Darryl, Johnita, Kayleigh and Savannah, Always know in your hearts just how much she loved each of you and held you close to her heart.

Michelle often told me that her greatest accomplishment and the one thing that she was the most proud of was the birth and raising of their son, Seth Allen Lawson. He is the pride and joy of her life and that is what she built her life around. Her foundation became Butch and Seth and that was all she ever wanted, just to be happy with her family and enjoy life. She had 4 beautiful years with Seth before The Lord called her home.

Michelle died on June 1st, 2007. It was on her son's 4th birthday. She had battled Migraine headaches for 2 weeks prior to her death. During this time she was given many potent medications in the attempts to break the headaches, but nothing worked. She was finally admitted to Butterworth Hospital on May 30th and was found unresponsive in her room around 6a.m. on June 1st. They tried to revive her, but did not succeed in doing so. After an autopsy was performed her cause of death was stated as she vomited and then aspirated it back into her lungs which caused her to choke to death.

Michelle was a participant in The Gift Of Life Program. Her eyes have given sight to two different people, a woman in New Jersey and a man in Reese. She gave her bones and other tissues which will help many other people in need.

Although her needless death is hard to accept, it will always be a question of "Why" in our hearts. She will always be deeply missed, loved and cherished and she will never be forgotten. As we now tell her little son Seth-----"God just needed a Special Angel and your mommie was The Best!"

On a deeper level as her mother I say this to everyone:

Michelle brought 31 beautiful years of joy, happiness, sadness and sorrow, laughter, challenges, moods, kindness and loyalty and genuine love into my heart and through it all I have always loved her and was always proud to have her as my daughter.

She had some tough battles to fight at time but she had a strong will and tough determination in her and yet she fought to never give up. She stood tall in what she believed in and never backed down. She loved her family and cherished her friends and she gave me a beautiful grandson in which she will live on in.

Chelsie, forever you shall remain in my heart and memories and I pray that you are at Peace now. I Thank God for the time I had with you and I miss you so much. A piece of me went with you Michelle that can never be mended and I will always keep my promise to help Butch with Seth. I love you my daughter and I will someday hold you again and see your smile and hear your voice. You made me proud to be your mother.

I LOVE YOU........Mom 8/31/07