Michele Black

Michele was born in Denver, Colorado to Jerry and Betty Black. Later her family moved to Cortez, Colorado and she graduated from Montezuma-Cortez High School. After that, her adventurous life took her to Yellow Springs, Ohio, and Boston, Massachusetts among other places. She finally ended up living in Mancos, Colorado, where she has resided for the past 35 years. Through those years in Mancos, she won the love and trust of many of the residents there, and most of all she won the heart of her wife Amy Wise. They were married in 2001. Michele felt that her life should be of service, and as such, she served on the Mancos Town Board and eventually, was elected to be the first female Mayor of Mancos. Through her tenure as Mayor, she was instrumental in bringing an updated waste water treatment plant to the town and helped to establish Cottonwood Park. Michele also served on the Board of The Medicine Horse Center, where she participated in caring for the horses and grounds and organizing fundraisers. Then she began working as barista at Fahrenheit Coffee Roasters where she was beloved by everyone that crossed her path co-worker and customer alike! FCR thought of her as “the grease that made the teams’ gears turn” and expressed that “it was an honor to have her there”.

Although she took on these responsibilities with enthusiasm, she never lost her sense of adventure, as she and Amy traveled throughout the U.S. to Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, California, Hawaii, on up to Canada, went on a cruise to Alaska, and took a trip to New Zealand. She just completed visiting all 50 states by traveling to the Atlantic Coast just several months before her passing. Through her life, Michele also enjoyed fishing, golfing, the mountains, and spending time with her many friends, for whom she was known to be very caring, compassionate and “”Jeopardy smart.” Most importantly, Michele loved all of her dogs and those pets she frequently took care of while pet sitting.

Through the last years of her life as she went through treatments for cancer, Michele received much support from close friends and the townspeople of Mancos. Both she and Amy were, and continue to be, very grateful for this outpouring of love and support. Michele’s strength and courage in dealing with her condition has been an inspiration to many people.

Michele leaves behind her wife, Amy Wise; her mother, Betty Black; her sister Tracey Powell (Greg); a nephew Christopher McDaniel; a niece, Brandy Bennett (Kyle), great niece Lenora, and great nephews Rhys and Jack Bennett.

She was predeceased by her grandparents and her father, Jerry Black.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Donations can be made in Michele’s memory to Medicine Horse Center, P.O. Box 1074, Mancos, CO 81328

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