Sharon Catale Michel

On August 28, 2021, Sharon Catale Michel beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt passed away at the age of 67 in Fairfax Virginia. She died peacefully, after suffering with pancreatic cancer for the past three years.

Sharon's memory will forever be honored and cherished by her beloved husband John; her daughter Bernadette Slee (Eric), her grandson Nolan Slee, mother Virginia Catale, her sister Diane Dixon, her nieces and nephews Lisa Elcano, John Silor, Gordon Thomas, and Logan Thomas and by many relatives and friends. Sharon is preceded in death by her father John Catale.

Sharon was born in Presque Isle, Maine, on October 4, 1953, the first child of John Carmen Catale and Virginia Lee Duncan. When Sharon was five years old, her father, who was a member of the United States Air Force was assigned to the Air Force Base in Chatteroux, France where the family spent the next three years living in the local town and later in base housing. From France, Sharon's father returned to the U.S. for his next assignment at Bolling Air Force Base. It was on this assignment that the family would buy their first and only home located in Woodbridge, VA where they shared many happy memories in their small cozy tract house. Sharon attended elementary, middle and high school in Woodbridge; graduating from Gar-Field High School in 1971.

Sharon met her future husband, Lieutenant John Michel at Fort Belvoir. They were married at the Fort Belvoir base chapel on April 15, 1983 and celebrated their 38th anniversary this year. In June 1984, the newlywed couple moved to Mons, Belgium. A town and experience they would both treasure memories of over the decades. During their four years in Belgium, they enjoyed hosting family from America and spent many long weekends exploring Europe together which sparked their passion for travel. In the spring of 1988, just before they were due to move back to the U.S. from Belgium, they learned that they were pregnant - a miracle after having all but given up on the hope of having a child. In October 1988 they moved into their new home in Fairfax Station where they have resided for 33 years. On January 16, 1989, the birth of their only daughter Bernadette Jean Michel, was the happiest day of their lives. Life was never the same, in all the best ways! In April of 2018, Sharon was blessed to witness her own daughter become a mother with the birth of her grandson Nolan Michael, the highlight of her later years. She adored him and cherished every moment babysitting and watching him grow and develop.

Sharon attended Northern Virginia Community College but turned her attention to seeking a job with the Federal government. Her first job was at Quantico Marine Corps Base, followed by positions with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Dept. of the Army, Mobility Equipment Research and Development Command (MERADCOM) at Fort Belvoir, VA. During her time in Belgium, she worked for NATO/SHAPE Support Group and completed her degree with the University of Maryland University College. Upon returning stateside she was hired at the Dept. of the Interior in the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Sharon progressed upward through several different positions becoming the agency's Records Management Officer. She finished her career at Interior in the Office of the Special Trustee supporting the resolution of records management of the Indian Trust Fund. Sharon retired from the government in 2009 after 37 years of dedicated service as a career civil servant. Following her retirement from federal service, she went to work for a private contractor as a records management consultant in support of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts for 7 years before finally retiring in 2016.

Sharon's last great endeavor was as a docent for the Library of Congress (LOC). She was so inspired by the mission of the LOC and the beauty of the building and its history. Sharon was also active in many activities involving her neighborhood, a wonderfully close and socially active group. She was in a Bunco group for over 20 years; and as an avid reader and lover of books was a member of a book club for close to 10 years.

Please join us for visitation at Demaine Funeral Home in Springfield, VA on Friday, September 17, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Your attendance is greatly appreciated at the celebration of Mass of Christian Burial in memory of Sharon on Saturday, September 18, at 1:00 pm at the Church of the Nativity, Burke, VA.

Mask are required for all events.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society.