Mrs. Micaela Anita Burel

Micaela “Micki” Burel, 85, died peacefully on February 9, 2024, at her home in Grants Pass, Oregon. She was born on May 8, 1938 in Waukegan, Illinois, as one of 10 children of John Candelario and Esther Espinoza.. She attended the girls-only Holy Child High School.

After high school, she worked as a civilian secretary at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois. She then moved west to San Francisco, California where she met her future husband Phil Burel. In 1963, Micki and Phil Burel married in La Puente, California.

They relocated to Simi Valley, California and raised three children, Patricia, Phillip II and William. They moved to Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, then to Bakersfield, California, and finally to Grants Pass, Oregon, in 1977. Micki’s working life revolved around doing support and clerical work for the Bureau of Land Management and later the Forest Service. She retired as a business analyst at the Siskiyou National Forest Supervisor’s Office. Micki enjoyed family adventures with her children such as rafting, camping, visiting the beach, scenic driving, and traveling. Micki was a fan of her children and grandchildren. She loved cheering for her family in their sporting and school events.

Micki was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Grants Pass for 47 years. After Phil died, she stayed active and joined a local grief support group, and the Red Hatters club.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Phillip Arthur Burel; her parents John and Esther Espinoza; two brothers, Michael Espinoza and John. Espinoza Jr.; nephew Shawn Espinoza; sister in-law's Kathleen Espinoza and Marie Espinoza. Micki is survived by her sons, Phillip Burel II and Bill Burel, his wife Mindy and daughter Camille; her daughter Patty Burel and Patty’s daughter Kaytlin and son Kylor; her brothers, Richard Espinoza, Arthur Espinoza, Charles Espinoza, and David Espinoza; sisters, Mary James, Susan Johnson, and Laura Perrine; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A funeral Mass will be held for Micki at 11:00am on Monday, February 26, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Grants Pass. It is scheduled to be live streamed through the St. Anne Catholic Church YouTube at: www.youtube.com/@st.annecatholicchurchgrant4543/featured. This will be followed by a private graveside ceremony at Eagle Point National Cemetery.

Flowers for the funeral can be sent to Chapel of the Valley at 2065 Upper River Road, Grants Pass, OR 97526.

We will miss Micki’s laughter, love and support.