Obituary for Michele Diane Smith (Krapp)
Michele Smith
April 13th, 1969 - Wednesday, March 4th, 2020
It is with overwhelming sadness that we announce the passing of Michele Diane Smith (nee Krapp) on March 4, 2020, after a courageous and graceful journey with cancer. She will so be missed.
Michele was born on April 13, 1969. She is survived by her husband, Ron; son, Jordan; daughter, Hannah; parents, George and Lori Krapp; her brothers, Rob and Dave Krupp; sisters in law, Dana Krupp and Leah McLeod; nieces, Anna and Sophie; nephews, Colby and Matthias, and devoted pup, Petruchio. Innumerable cousins and dear friends have been touched by her generosity of friendship and graceful kindness.
Michele lived her entire life in Calgary where she graduated from Bishop Grandin High School in 1987, and the University of Calgary, obtaining her BComm in 1992. After graduation she spent 6 years at the Science Alberta Foundation before starting her 20-year involvement with the Explore STEM (Explore IT) conference for Grade 9 girls.
In 1992, Michele married the love of her life, Ron. Together, they built a loving life together that was blessed with two amazing children and a home that became a hub for an abundance of social gatherings. Michele loved to host her friends and family, and her immense capacity for nurturing and bringing people together was always evident. She could always be counted on to cook delicious food (especially desserts) and to create an endlessly welcoming environment.
Michele was an incredibly genuine, loving, spiritual and selfless wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Those relationships were always of paramount importance to her and she could be counted on as a loving nurturer, advocate, and anchor for others; whatever was needed at the time. She made everyone a better person; anyone who interacted with her was made to feel like the most special person in the world. Her inclusive, compassionate, and caring demeanour enriched every life she touched.
Michele’s foremost passion in life was her family. She was a phenomenal mother to Jordan and Hannah. Her pride in them shone through at all times. She eagerly spent as much time as she could volunteering at their schools, watching them play their sports, all the while being their biggest supporters in every aspect of their lives. The sports-related travelling created some especially fond family memories. She was an exceptionally loving and committed partner to Ron and they so loved the home and the life they built together.
Michele’s German ancestry was a tremendous source of pride for her. She made many trips to Germany to visit her large family and she made sure that her German traditions were in great abundance in many aspects of her life.
From the onset of Michele’s health issues in 2004, she was determined to and succeeded in living a life that was not defined by cancer, but to have it only in the background and addressed more directly only when necessary. She was determined to experience as many important milestone moments in Hannah and Jordan’s lives as possible and that inspiration permeated her life.
The family wishes to thank the many many family and friends who supported Michele throughout her cancer journey, as well as the amazing nurses and staff at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. Immense gratitude is extended to Dr. Willem Henning, whose thoughtful expertise and gentle and positive guidance brought Michele and her family great comfort. He was her champion, as she was his.
The hummingbird was a common theme throughout Michele’s cancer journey. To her it represented health and healing, hope and love. The hummingbird lifts up negativity, brings light and levity; it seeks out the good in life and sees the beauty in each day. It is the bringer of love and the harbinger of joy. In the fable of the hummingbird, the hummingbird shows us the importance of doing what we can, and how the little things, can mean so much. To us, the hummingbird represents all that Michele brought to this world and to our lives. In memory of Michele, consider wearing a splash of hummingbird colours – blues, greens, reds, pinks and purples, as hummingbirds are also messengers from our ancestors and loved ones.
Prayers will be held on Tuesday March 10 at 7:00pm. A Memorial Mass will take place on Wednesday March 11 at 2:00pm and will be followed by a reception. Both will be held at Michele’s spiritual home, St. Boniface Catholic Church (1923 Broadview Rd NW, Calgary). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Prevent Cancer Now
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Michele please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
April 13th, 1969 - Wednesday, March 4th, 2020
It is with overwhelming sadness that we announce the passing of Michele Diane Smith (nee Krapp) on March 4, 2020, after a courageous and graceful journey with cancer. She will so be missed.
Michele was born on April 13, 1969. She is survived by her husband, Ron; son, Jordan; daughter, Hannah; parents, George and Lori Krapp; her brothers, Rob and Dave Krupp; sisters in law, Dana Krupp and Leah McLeod; nieces, Anna and Sophie; nephews, Colby and Matthias, and devoted pup, Petruchio. Innumerable cousins and dear friends have been touched by her generosity of friendship and graceful kindness.
Michele lived her entire life in Calgary where she graduated from Bishop Grandin High School in 1987, and the University of Calgary, obtaining her BComm in 1992. After graduation she spent 6 years at the Science Alberta Foundation before starting her 20-year involvement with the Explore STEM (Explore IT) conference for Grade 9 girls.
In 1992, Michele married the love of her life, Ron. Together, they built a loving life together that was blessed with two amazing children and a home that became a hub for an abundance of social gatherings. Michele loved to host her friends and family, and her immense capacity for nurturing and bringing people together was always evident. She could always be counted on to cook delicious food (especially desserts) and to create an endlessly welcoming environment.
Michele was an incredibly genuine, loving, spiritual and selfless wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Those relationships were always of paramount importance to her and she could be counted on as a loving nurturer, advocate, and anchor for others; whatever was needed at the time. She made everyone a better person; anyone who interacted with her was made to feel like the most special person in the world. Her inclusive, compassionate, and caring demeanour enriched every life she touched.
Michele’s foremost passion in life was her family. She was a phenomenal mother to Jordan and Hannah. Her pride in them shone through at all times. She eagerly spent as much time as she could volunteering at their schools, watching them play their sports, all the while being their biggest supporters in every aspect of their lives. The sports-related travelling created some especially fond family memories. She was an exceptionally loving and committed partner to Ron and they so loved the home and the life they built together.
Michele’s German ancestry was a tremendous source of pride for her. She made many trips to Germany to visit her large family and she made sure that her German traditions were in great abundance in many aspects of her life.
From the onset of Michele’s health issues in 2004, she was determined to and succeeded in living a life that was not defined by cancer, but to have it only in the background and addressed more directly only when necessary. She was determined to experience as many important milestone moments in Hannah and Jordan’s lives as possible and that inspiration permeated her life.
The family wishes to thank the many many family and friends who supported Michele throughout her cancer journey, as well as the amazing nurses and staff at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. Immense gratitude is extended to Dr. Willem Henning, whose thoughtful expertise and gentle and positive guidance brought Michele and her family great comfort. He was her champion, as she was his.
The hummingbird was a common theme throughout Michele’s cancer journey. To her it represented health and healing, hope and love. The hummingbird lifts up negativity, brings light and levity; it seeks out the good in life and sees the beauty in each day. It is the bringer of love and the harbinger of joy. In the fable of the hummingbird, the hummingbird shows us the importance of doing what we can, and how the little things, can mean so much. To us, the hummingbird represents all that Michele brought to this world and to our lives. In memory of Michele, consider wearing a splash of hummingbird colours – blues, greens, reds, pinks and purples, as hummingbirds are also messengers from our ancestors and loved ones.
Prayers will be held on Tuesday March 10 at 7:00pm. A Memorial Mass will take place on Wednesday March 11 at 2:00pm and will be followed by a reception. Both will be held at Michele’s spiritual home, St. Boniface Catholic Church (1923 Broadview Rd NW, Calgary). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Prevent Cancer Now
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Michele please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.