Michele Elizabeth Rhoades

She was born in Duluth, MN on July 21, 1952 to Earl and Wanda Benson. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Springfield, MA, where her father was stationed with the U.S. Air Force. She graduated with a degree in nursing from The College of St. Scholastica in 1976. Michele married Michael Rhoades on June 17, 1977 in Springfield, MA. Michael and Michele lived in Minnesota, Indiana, Michigan, California and then Georgia.

Michele was known as a “giver” with her long career as a registered nurse, taking care of her family and volunteering with children in Africa and refugee camps in Greece. She was also a volunteer for the American Red Cross. She was very artistic with painting, craft works, designing and caring for a beautiful garden in her back yard.

She loved to travel and was able to visit 48 states in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America, Africa, India and Europe. She especially liked old churches and historic sites. She loved her family and took great joy in her grandchildren, who called her “Mor Mor”. Michele is loved and will be missed by everyone she touched.

She is survived by her husband, Mike; daughters, Megan (Brian) Miedlar, Melinda (Karan) Uppal and Marissa (Thomas) Marshall; grandchildren, Myla, Michella and Thomas Mac Marshall, Hubert Miedlar and soon to be born Avi Uppal, all of Atlanta, GA; siblings, Andrea (Joe) Masnica of Phoenix, AZ, Lynette Eddy, of Reno, NV and Melanie Lewandoski, of Grand Rapids, MI.