Michelle Marie Walker

Michelle Walker passed away suddenly at age 51 on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 at Littleton Adventist Hospital in Colorado from a short battle with Lung Cancer. Michelle is survived by her husband Greg of 32 amazing years, Son Nicholas (Raquel), Son Andrew, Daughter Samantha, Mother Lawanda Richards, Sister Melissa Buchanan (Matthew) and Sister Elizabeth Lang (Joshua), Daughter-in-law of Maxine and Charles Walker, Step Mother Patricia Cook, Brother-in-law Jerrod Walker (Sandi), Sister-in-law JoAnn Bressler (Craig) and Sister-in-law Lori Pritchett, among countless aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Michelle is preceded in death by her father Timothy Cook. Her short but fulfilling life as a daughter, wife, mother, aunt, niece, friend and teacher leaves an everlasting legacy of love and support to all those who knew her.

Michelle was born in Muskegon, Michigan to parents Lawanda Richards and Timothy Cook on November 28th, 1971. They moved to Colorado, then to Vallejo, California where she spent most of her childhood. Michelle loved playing soccer and softball as a youth, as well as played the clarinet and continued these activities through high school. While in high school she met her future husband Greg Walker in band class. Shortly after graduating, Michelle and Greg married and moved to Newark, California where they gave birth to their first son, Nicholas followed by their second son Andrew. As Nicholas was nearing school age, Michelle and Greg packed up the kids and moved to Highlands Ranch, Colorado where she enrolled the kids in the Douglas County School District where Michelle found her calling, helping children. Michelle involved herself in all aspects of their kids education where she joined the PTA and soon became the PTA president. With their 3rd child being born, Samantha, Michelle took every opportunity to stay engaged and grow at the school. Outside the classroom, she was a cub scout leader, and girl scout leader. As her kids got older, she naturally navigated toward her passion and was hired by Douglas County as a preschool teacher and long term substitute. She loved teaching young children and marveled at what she called their “AHA” moments when they just got it, whether writing their name, or learning something new, that moment of recognition inspired her passion. Beyond the classroom, Michelle continued her musical talents by joining her husband as a member of the Highlands Ranch Concert band. There she took on a leadership role as Concert Manager where she coordinated and led the organization's rehearsals and performances. Michelle had an innate ability to connect, understand, support, mentor and love. She saw the good in all and did it effortlessly giving everything and expected nothing in return. She was an inspiration to all that knew her and a beautiful soul that only comes around once in a lifetime.

A memorial service for Michelle will be held Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, 6601 South Colorado Blvd, Centennial, CO 80121, followed by a reception from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM.

A GoFundMe has been established on behalf of the family https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-michelle-walker

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerchapelhill.com for the Walker family.