Saturday, April 10, 2010

Michelle Purcell


Michelle Herron Purcell October 12, 1973 - April 4, 2010: 
Michelle Herron Purcell of Lehi, Utah, returned to her Heavenly Father April 4, 2010, after a courageous battle with three negative breast cancer. She was born in Salt Lake City, October 12, 1973 to James Charles and Colleen Roper Herron. She married Mark Edward Purcell October 6, 1995 in the Salt Lake Temple. They have four children, Zachary Tyler, Ariel Elizabeth, Courtney Marie and Nathan James. Survived by her husband, children, parents, brother Ryan, several aunts, uncles, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and cousins. She was a fun loving person and loved life and those she came in contact with. She graduated from Granite High School. Served in many capacities and was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We received a call late last Friday night informing us that Michelle (our aunt) was in the ICU and they didn't know if she was going to make it through the night.  We were so distraught.  She had been diagnosed with breast cancer over a year ago, but we didn't realize that she was doing that poorly.  Because it was so late there wasn't much we could do.  

Saturday we were able to go to the hospital and visit her.  It was so difficult to see her like that.  She wasn't responsive other than to try and tug at her oxygen mask.  We were able to talk to her for a while and hold her hand.  We had a family prayer and hoped for the best, but they said that her organs were failing.  

Sunday morning we got up and watched the first session of conference.  In between sessions we received the dreaded call informing us that Michelle had passed away.  Matt and I rushed over to the hospital.  Michelle was only 36 years old when she returned home to Heavenly Father, but we know that it was His will and that she is out of pain now.  Michelle passed away on Easter Sunday.  Of all the days to return to our Heavenly Father she couldn't have picked a better one.  We know that because of the events of that Easter so long ago we will be with Michelle again.
We had the opportunity to attend Michelle's funeral services last evening and today.  They were amazing.  The way the light shone through the windows, the flowers, the speakers and the music were exactly as Michelle would have it.   So bright and beautiful, just like the way she lived her life.  It truly was a celebration of her life.  Michelle gave life to four beautiful children in whom her legacy will live on.  Michelle may not be here in body, but her spirit lives on in the lives of those who knew her. 






After the grave was dedicated they let the little girls and the mothers pick a flower from the top of the casket.  Ariel picking her flower.



 Cousin Chad helped little Nate pick a flower too.

Grandma Purcell

 Matt and Nate are little buddies.  He made me go out side with him before the funeral because he wanted to "show me sumpin'."  When we came inside he started saying quite loudly, "Ma-att where are you?!"  He also loves to give, "hugs and tisses."  What a sweetheart.



 Mark and his girls.

Mark and the kids.  We love these kids so much.

Uncle Wes with Nate.  Nate has been calling anyone who's name he doesn't know Wes.  When you ask him what his name is he says, "Me."

 I asked Nate if he wanted me to take his picture and he got really excited... then he made this face and laughed after I took the picture.

 Nate with his flower

 Matt and I

 Ariel's flower

1 comments:

karla said...

How wonderful it is to know the plan of salvation!