Born on July 16, 1972, at St. Margaret's Hospital in Hammond, Michelle was the daughter of Dan Allen Hurley and Mary Ellen Parker.
Michelle was the beloved wife of Hjose M. Mendoza, with whom she shared seven wonderful years of marriage. She was a devoted mother to Sandra (Tim) L. Hurley, Brittney (Marc) N. Melgoza, Mariana Melgoza, and Jose A. Melgoza with their father, Jose A. Melgoza-Collazo. She was also a proud grandmother to Mya N. Hurley-Jackson, Ivy R. Hurley-Jackson, Vincent A. Flanagan, Michael A. Melgoza, Malia A. Melgoza, Damien Lavoie, and Felix Lavoie, all of whom brought her endless joy.
She worked as a Poker Table Supervisor at Horseshoe Casino and was known for her strong work ethic and caring heart. Michelle loved spending time with her family, watching her favorite shows, playing Bingo, Darts, and Casino Spanish 21, and making memories with those she loved.
She is survived by her stepfather, Jerry Eugene Parker; siblings, Tonia C. Vazquez, Joseph (Elizabeth) M. Hurley, and Marina (Alejandro) Gonzalez; sister and brother-in-law, Samantha and Miguel Melgoza; nieces and nephews, Michael Beshears, Alfred Hunt, Justin Hunt, Jonathan Hunt, Jose Hurley, Robert Garcia, Michelle Garcia, Maricela Hurley, Eugenio Vazquez, Juan Vazquez, Marissa Vazquez, Joseph Hurley, Jacob Hurley, Elyssa Hurley, Angelica Melgoza, Ariel Melgoza, Krystal Melgoza, Miguel Melgoza, Jr., Maria Ramos, Thomas Cabello, Ramon (Cayla) Cabello, Jr., and Lillyanna Ramos; as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews; and countless extended family members and friends.
Michelle was preceded in death by her mother, Mary E. Parker; her sister, Cheryl L. Hunt; her best friend, Lizetta Ramos-Cardenas; and family members, Patricia Hurley, Dwayne Hurley, and Marie Hurley.
Funeral services will take place on Friday, August 28th, 2026, with visitation from 10:00 am until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 pm. Burial to follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.
The family sincerely thanks everyone for their love, prayers, support, and generous donations to Michelle's GoFundMe during this difficult time. She will be forever loved, deeply missed, and never forgotten.
Michelle was a beautiful person on the inside and the outside. She was the mother we all needed. She was always willing to give the shirt off her back or give a place to stay if someone needed it. She was dearly loved and cherished. She was strong and funny; always bringing joy and laughter. She was a firecracker. As she would say, "Dynamite comes in small packages."
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Mendoza family.
