Michele Brown-Riding
October 5, 1952 - June 22, 2021
-“Anyone who thinks only sunshine is happiness has never danced in the rain.” Unknown
Michele Brown Riding passed away on June 22, 2021, at her Salt Lake City home.
Michele, daughter of Dale W. and Mildred W. Everill, was born October 5, 1952 in Fairbanks Alaska, and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She attended Saint Mary’s Catholic High School, where she met and became one of the “Jolly Girls,” creating friendships with her school friends that remained unbreakable throughout her lifetime. In high school, and forever after, she was not only admired for her skill and beauty as a ballerina, but admired and loved for all her kindnesses. Michele graduated from Judge Memorial Catholic High School and was honored with a ballet scholarship to the University of Utah where she later graduated with a psychology degree. Just like her dancing, understanding and caring for others was a constant endeavor for our Michele.
Those college years were an incredibly busy but joyous time for Michele; she married Bill Brown (later divorced) and had two children, Amanda and Justin. When her children started school she began work as a meeting planner at the University of Utah and later the Hurst Group during which time she served as the 1996 Rocky Mountain chapter President of Meeting Planners International.
She never stopped impressing her associates and coworkers, so it was no surprise that she was recruited by the 2002 Olympics and Paralympics to the Doping Control Group which she managed adroitly in the face of adversity. It was here she met Dr. Michael Riding. Her friends could see how impressed Michele was with him; so much so, that after the Olympics, Michele packed up her two cats and moved to Michael’s home town in Nova Scotia. Marriage followed, with two ceremonies – both times in the rain –sealing their true happiness.
Michele and Michael stayed in Nova Scotia until his retirement at which time they moved to a small country farm in Oregon. She loved her home, with its goats and llamas to care for, and the beauty of Applegate Valley. So much so, she insisted her Jolly Girl best friends come stay, which they did. She made such events so memorable that her friends talk about the land, the rivers and the perfect company to this day. However, Michele was not only in the business of entertaining in her retirement. In the City of Jacksonville, Oregon, she became very active in the local community and was recognized in the 2016 FEMA Community Preparedness Awards and as the Jacksonville Fire department Volunteer of the Year. This lifetime of contribution and love to her family, friends and community was her greatest gift.
Michele and Michael moved back to Salt Lake in 2019 where she fought her Illness with courage, insight and spirit.
Michele is survived by her husband Michael Riding, daughter Amanda Marino and husband Dave, son Justin Brown and wife Carolyn, sister Marcie Newson and husband Jim, and her grandchildren Mila and Maximus Marino. The family is most grateful to the staff at Huntsman Cancer Institute, particularly Dr. Mark Dodson, Dr. Theresa Werner and Esther Kannapel, APRN. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Huntsman Cancer Institute or Red Butte Gardens. Her death is a sorrow… her life was a gift of joy for all who loved her.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Huntsman Cancer Institute or Red Butte Gardens.
A celebration of her life will be on Thursday, July 1, 2021 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City.
Please check back soon to view a video tribute slideshow.
In Loving Memory
Dear Brown-Riding family It is with a heavy heart that I express my sorrow and sympathy at your loss. Michelle was a fun-loving, vibrant young lady, and although I knew her only during our freshman year at St. Mary's, her beauty and effervescence are qualities I'll never forget. My prayers are with you as I know you will miss your wife, mother, and grandmother for a lifetime May she rest in peace until you are again re-united.
Very sorry for the loss of such a lovely human being. We were high school classmates. God bless you all.
Michael, Amanda, Justin and family, I am wishing you blessings and peace at this sad and discouraging time. Michele was a remarkable person and she set a powerful example to so many of a competent and intelligent person, a compassionate and loving mother, a strong and joyful spouse and a dedicated and supportive friend. I am very fortunate to have known her and am a better person because of it. There is simply no way to understand all of this. She is certainly hoping for peace for each of you. I am as well. with affection, (Fr.) John E. Norman
Dear Michael, Marcie, Amanda (Dave), Justin (Carolyn) and her precious grandchildren: It’s with inexplicable sadness that I am writing this message. In the nearly thirty-five years that Sonja and I have been together, I can’t think of a time that Michele wasn’t somehow involved in our lives. Client and dear friend to both Sonja and I, Michele is one of those few people in life who really have an impact. Whether it was as simple as our movie/dinner club, work as Olympic volunteers, countless hours of looking for and negotiating real estate purchases, or just time well spent together, we are saddened to think of a world without her in it. No matter where she was, whether Canada, Oregon or Salt Lake, we always found a way to stay in touch. Much to her credit, she was the last to contact us to let us know she and Michael had permanently moved to Salt Lake and bought a home just a few blocks away from us. To our deep regret, we never followed through and as we so often passed by the house, we would say, "We need to call Michele and Michael", but we didn’t, and now we’ve sadly lost all opportunity to say goodbye. Even in death, Michele has reminded us of a lesson I’ve all too frequently had to learn. If you love someone, you need to tell them and you need to stay close if only to send a text, email or make a phone call. In this modern day of instant communication, there is no excuse not to. When I think of Michele, I think of proud and devoted mother, grandmother and wife, hard worker, beauty, intelligence, loyalty, fun and unquestionable integrity. Always strong, she had a tendency to play down her illness and that’s why we are so shocked to see her passing. As true believers, we know she is in paradise with Dale, Millie and those who love her so, but that doesn’t make it any easier for Michael and the rest of the family or her friends. Wherever you are Michele, know that you are forever loved and never forgotten and thank you for always being our friend. Condolences to all. Love, Sonja and Robert Friedman
I will always remember Michele as a vibrant youthful woman who loved dance -- her visits were a delight, and her community impact immense. May your beautiful loving memories carry you through this transition. With warmth and love, Karen Sauer
Dear Michael and family, My deepest,heartfelt condolences to you all. Michele was a special light and energy that brought happiness to so many friends and family. Life just isn't fair. You had such a short time together but it was such a wonderful time together. Keep those memories in your heart and be thankful for the time you had.Sending my love and my prayers for you Michael and the family, sincerely, Pat
Sorry to hear of your loss. I didn't know Michele only the nice things said. I watched her video and could see the wonderful life you had with her. I don't want to be sappy so all I can say is these moments in life really suck.
To the family of Michele i was sorry to hear of Michele's death. I haven't seen her since our high school days at St Mary's & Judge but have fond memories of cheerleading together and watching her perform in the Nutcracker. She was a lovely person & will be missed. Kristin Razzeca
In Loving Memory
