Michelle Lee Ariza (Mancinone), age 50, of Valley Center, California passed away on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. She passed surrounded by her loving family after a difficult battle with cancer. Michelle was born in Waterbury, Connecticut to Martine Mancinone (Lampietti) and Daniel Mancinone. She grew up in Waterbury,CT and attended Holy Cross High School. After graduating high school, she moved to California where her maternal grandparents lived and in 1992 she married Hermilo Ariza in Valley Center, CA.
Michelle is survived by her husband, Hermilo Ariza; her daughter Adriana Ariza (Jesus Hernandez- Delgado) of South Pasadena, California; and her son Alexander Ariza of Valley Center, California; her father Daniel Mancinone (Karen Mancinone) of Beacon Falls, Connecticut and her mother Martine Mancinone of Valley Center, California.
Michelle will be remembered for her big heart, creativity, and incredible homemade meals. First and foremost she loved raising her children and being a mother. She also enjoyed her time working as a supervisor in an Albertsons Bakery and creating custom cakes. Her talent in arts continued with beautiful homemade cards and decorating skills which led to her starting her own business "Crafty Kingdom." She was a loyal New York Yankees fan since the first game her dad took her to at Yankee Stadium. She also had a deep love for animals and is survived by 4 rescued and beloved pets. Her smile, laughter, sense of humor, self-driven, and passionate spirit will live in the hearts of her family forever.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcleodmortuary.com for the Ariza family.
