I remember Michelle from Moreland. The minute I arrived, in 4th grade - Miss Sibley's class, I realised she was "the leader of the pack"! Cute, funny and totally in control. She was the one I had to get on my side.
And it wasn't too difficult. She was pretty accepting of EVERYBODY! Lesley Dormen and she had complete rule of the roost as far as us girls were concerned. Fortunately both of them were kind hearted, and there was no bullying as far as I remember. Michelle was perfectly coiffed even at the age of 8! Always wore the right thing, never put a foot wrong. A mentor without realising she was such. I remember her hair, as the years went by, always perfect, as was everything else. How does that happen? HAIRSPRAY? But it was much more than than that. She seemed to know what was important to her...that was how it came across to me. We joined different circles in Junior High and High School. But that initial friendship, that initial acceptance of me as "the new kid on the block" was never forgotten.
When I learnt of her death, so damned early!, I was so saddened. As I have said in my various comments on those of our classmates who died so young,..WHY? I guess because that's the luck of the draw. Actually I've never expressed " WHY" in most of my pathetic contributions to this site. The "WHY" was always implied. Still is. "WHY" is a question of religion, of which I have very little - not for lack of trying to find answers to the imponderables...tried Buddhism, brought up a Christian, decided Judaism was the way to go...then delved into Islam...to no avail. We're here on this earth for a very short time. "Live, love, laugh and be happy"...when the red, red robin begins to sing...throbbin' his song. Apologies for those who might not know this song. I live my life through songs, their lyrics are a pathway for and to me. Michelle, you are remembered and missed. You had an influence, most benign, on my life. Thanks!
What a perfectly Patty-esque remembrance of Michele. Yes, yes and yes, Ms Richards. Michele is a permanent cast member in my Moreland Elementary memory reel and my seventh-grade Woodbury year as well. Michele and Ellen Friedman and I were an inseparable trio. I remember seeing Michele at the first, ten-year high school reunion. That slender body, hair perfectly coiffed, and the knowing look in her eye as she sized me up and rendered judgment: "You've turned into a woman." Really? It took no less than Michele Marein's absolute authority on the subject to suggest it might possibly be true. We lost you way too early, dear friend. It was unfathomable then and it still is now.
The only class that I remember Michelle from was 6th grade Mrs. Purusa. She was an excellent student and very sweet to her fellow students. We also went through Sunday School together at Heights temple. The last time I saw her was at Ohio State in 1964. I believe she taught in the Cleveland Public Schools and eventualy became a lawyer. Passed way too early.
I enjoyed talking with Michele at the 30 year reunion. We were both single at the time. I was looking forward to seeing her at the next reunion. So sorry to hear she passed away. Does anyone know when and how she died?
Michele was one of my closest friends in High School. I remember her house and family as if I were there today, her siswter Nannette and parents. She was so beaiutiful and smart and totally street smart for such a young woman. She was ambitious and very confident. When I transferred to Ohio State my sophomore year we roomed together at the sorority house and later lost touch when she moved away and I returned to Cleveland to work at the Cleveland Press. Somehow we lost our connection when I married and had a family. I know she was disappointed in our apparent disconnect and felt I had abandoned the friendship. We lost touch and I felt horrible and guilty when I heard she had passed away from stomach Cancer. I have always regretted not being a good enough old friend to keep it going.
Patricia Ann Richards (Armstrong)
I remember Michelle from Moreland. The minute I arrived, in 4th grade - Miss Sibley's class, I realised she was "the leader of the pack"! Cute, funny and totally in control. She was the one I had to get on my side.
And it wasn't too difficult. She was pretty accepting of EVERYBODY! Lesley Dormen and she had complete rule of the roost as far as us girls were concerned. Fortunately both of them were kind hearted, and there was no bullying as far as I remember. Michelle was perfectly coiffed even at the age of 8! Always wore the right thing, never put a foot wrong. A mentor without realising she was such. I remember her hair, as the years went by, always perfect, as was everything else. How does that happen? HAIRSPRAY? But it was much more than than that. She seemed to know what was important to her...that was how it came across to me. We joined different circles in Junior High and High School. But that initial friendship, that initial acceptance of me as "the new kid on the block" was never forgotten.
When I learnt of her death, so damned early!, I was so saddened. As I have said in my various comments on those of our classmates who died so young,..WHY? I guess because that's the luck of the draw. Actually I've never expressed " WHY" in most of my pathetic contributions to this site. The "WHY" was always implied. Still is. "WHY" is a question of religion, of which I have very little - not for lack of trying to find answers to the imponderables...tried Buddhism, brought up a Christian, decided Judaism was the way to go...then delved into Islam...to no avail. We're here on this earth for a very short time. "Live, love, laugh and be happy"...when the red, red robin begins to sing...throbbin' his song. Apologies for those who might not know this song. I live my life through songs, their lyrics are a pathway for and to me. Michelle, you are remembered and missed. You had an influence, most benign, on my life. Thanks!
Lesley Dormen
What a perfectly Patty-esque remembrance of Michele. Yes, yes and yes, Ms Richards. Michele is a permanent cast member in my Moreland Elementary memory reel and my seventh-grade Woodbury year as well. Michele and Ellen Friedman and I were an inseparable trio. I remember seeing Michele at the first, ten-year high school reunion. That slender body, hair perfectly coiffed, and the knowing look in her eye as she sized me up and rendered judgment: "You've turned into a woman." Really? It took no less than Michele Marein's absolute authority on the subject to suggest it might possibly be true. We lost you way too early, dear friend. It was unfathomable then and it still is now.
Stewart M Flate
The only class that I remember Michelle from was 6th grade Mrs. Purusa. She was an excellent student and very sweet to her fellow students. We also went through Sunday School together at Heights temple. The last time I saw her was at Ohio State in 1964. I believe she taught in the Cleveland Public Schools and eventualy became a lawyer. Passed way too early.
Beverly Parries (Rideout)
I enjoyed talking with Michele at the 30 year reunion. We were both single at the time. I was looking forward to seeing her at the next reunion. So sorry to hear she passed away. Does anyone know when and how she died?
Lilli Adler (Harris)
Michele was one of my closest friends in High School. I remember her house and family as if I were there today, her siswter Nannette and parents. She was so beaiutiful and smart and totally street smart for such a young woman. She was ambitious and very confident. When I transferred to Ohio State my sophomore year we roomed together at the sorority house and later lost touch when she moved away and I returned to Cleveland to work at the Cleveland Press. Somehow we lost our connection when I married and had a family. I know she was disappointed in our apparent disconnect and felt I had abandoned the friendship. We lost touch and I felt horrible and guilty when I heard she had passed away from stomach Cancer. I have always regretted not being a good enough old friend to keep it going.