I saw the vibrant and kind purple bands of light stand out from the soothing blue, against the gold and copper sky and I knew it was your smile.  I see the signs of you up there and I know you’re watching over us down here and protecting us.  I hear your sarcastic comments and I feel your slap on my shoulder. I miss you. What I would give to hug you one more time. I know you live and feel a joy and a peace we all can only hope and strive for and I know the Director upstairs called you as he needed a starring cast in the starry sky - he chose  you for many parts to play in his grand production down here on our stage. A production too complex and interrelated for us to comprehend, perhaps. Thank you for being the lighting and being that bright starry star that shines down on us, and I believe, on me.

Just me remembering you.  You are eternal in my heart and mind.

Thank you all for your memories of Michelle.
Reading your words and seeing your photos bring great  comfort to me.  When I look at this statue,  I see and feel Michelle. I wanted to share it with you as well.  May God bless you.

I am especially missing you at this moment and writing here helps me feel connected to you… and I know when I look up into the night sky, you, Michelle, are the brightest star up above among the stars. 

You are always alive here in my heart and mind. 

I love when you talk to me in my dreams.

Thank you for your guidance and comfort.

Your too brief presence brought so much joy to so many. 

May your hand feel the luscious fruit of heaven and may your work and spirit craft the finest wines from beautiful grapes for celebration. 

May your thoughts and words create masterworks and plays.

May your brush and colors create your personal art.

May you paint the sky with your joy.

May you decorate the night stars with your unique arrays of love. 

May you blanket our world with your warm embrace.

Tonight as I miss your presence I’m comforted by the memory of you. 

You impacted my heart so profoundly. 

All my love to you. 

I love you always.

I sip and toast to you, dear.

Shine on, lovely, magnificent, radiant star. 

You will forever be young and beautiful. 

And that is who you were destined to be.

Eternal.

I’m just an acquaintance of Michelle’s from the mid 90s. I Remember her as a sweet girl, beautiful inside and out. Evidently she was quite ambitious and chased her dreams with many successes. I was watching a video of celebrities we lost in 2024 and was in shock when I saw Michelle. I felt an awful sadness come over me. I can hardly imagine the difficulty felt by those close to her. I know there are no words that can offer any real comfort, but know there is someone in the world that you don’t know that is sorry for your loss.

Michelle and I met and worked together as young go getters in New Haven in the early 2000's/late 1990's. She inspired me because she was brave enough to be her own person which I was not. My Mother was Ms. Connecticut, America and I was sponsored to do it, but I pursued other activities and was never confident enough to pursue it. Michelle asked me about Ms. USA and I told her to go get it. I pursued other activities because I didn't have the sense of self that Michelle did. She was diplomatic, supportive, smart, strong, and blessed with so many other amazing and important qualities. She always wanted to do the right thing and always act humbly. We remained friends for many years despite her moving to the other coast. She listened to me when I needed her and supported me through difficult times. We always had a plan to be together again but supported each other from afar. She was and will be remembered as a kind, loving soul who wanted the best for people while she pursued her dreams. It seems that devastation only finds the good ones. It is unfair and tears our hearts out but teaches us to live, love, and not miss a minute. It can be cliche but the loss of Michelle teaches us that lesson in more certain terms. 
I'm sorry I didn't return your call Michelle that last time, I wish I did.

I love you. I miss you. The world has lost a spirt it so desperately needs. I guess you had bigger things to do than be here.  Sweet sweet angel. Say hi to my grandma. ❤️

To Roger, Kitty, Danielle and David,

Noreen and I are so sorry to hear of Michelle’s passing. She was a beautiful person inside and out. God bless and keep you all.

Jim & Noreen Corcoran

Michelle,

So surreal.

I can’t believe I can’t just call you and hear your voice.

I heard Carrie Underwood’s “See You Again” today and it keeps echoing in my mind.

God needed a sommelier - or someone to till the rich soil and tend to the rich vines of heaven. To cultivate that bounty... He needed one more angel. The angels needed one more friend. The City of Angels where you lived is less angelic without you.  I see your feathered wing tip above in the clouds. I feel guarded by your wing.

Until I see you again.

This is not where it ends…I will carry you with me.

Me

Bikinis, bottles, and boats! You’re my soul sister and will always be! I love you ANGEL. 😇❤️🥂

Bikinis and bottles… that’s my girl! We never missed a good time!

An oldie, but I remember this day like it was yesterday. Enjoying oysters and champagne in Santa Monica, 2017.

It's untimely and surreal that you're gone.  I have 20 + years of memories with you that I will never let go.  Thank you for lending me your light when I couldn't find my own, thank you for always being there when I needed to talk, thank you for all the love, support, inspiration, belly laughs, and everything in between. I'll miss you my dear friend. 🤍🕊

Michelle embodied grace.  Her soul and kindness, more beautiful than her features.  Her crowning moment as Miss Connecticut USA was specular.  Forever my Miss USA!

To her family, I extend my condolences.

I feel like she’s the ultimate roadtrip buddy. Kind. Funny. Willing to dance and DJ and navigate and hand out snacks all while doing the car temp. She is missed and I wish she were here today to experience this day. If you are reading this…give yourself a hug and take care of your heart as you grieve. 🩷

Great little bro and sister trip for the weekend. One of many. It’s gonna take a while for this to heal, if ever. The lost of my best friend and sister hurts like nothing ever in this world.

A beauty that will shine forever. You will be forever missed. Xo 😘

I met Michelle in 2003 when we were competing in the Miss USA competition in San Antonio, TX. After moving to L.A. we became friends and I feel blessed to have shared so many life memories with her. I’ll never forget Michelle’s authenticity, how easy she was to speak to, and what a lovely human being she was. She was so sweet and such a gentle soul.

I send my love and sincerest condolences to her family and dearest friends. I’m so sorry for your loss. Michelle was taken far too soon but her memory will live in all our hearts forever. How lucky we were to have done life with her. Rest easy, Michelle💜

Our road trip from Los Angeles to Vegas to celebrate our Miss USA 2003 10 year reunion.

Celebrating our 10 year reunion with our Miss USA 2003 sisters in Vegas 👑

Swimming in the Dead Sea during a fun girls trip to Israel.

I have so many beautiful memories of Michelle over the past 20 years. We had so many laughs and fun times.

This photo was when we visited the Google offices during our trip to Israel and couldn’t resist going down the slide despite the sign.

I still see your golden smile, within the clouds that shine upon your beach.

Just Michelle

Just when…

you first saw her, the thunderbolt struck.
she smiled at you, your heart smiled.
she became your friend, you were blessed.
she held your hand, you felt electric.
she’d gotten “tipsy,” you’d laugh.
you thought you had her figured out, she’d surprise you.
her politics might lean left, she’d take a hard right.
you were on a topic, she’d layer on another nine.
you thought she wasn’t listening, she heard it all.
you thought she was intuitive, she was clairvoyant.
you thought she was smart, she was brilliant.
you had dinner, she’d order for you.
you had dinner, it was dinner and show.
she chose the menu and the wine, it was magnificent pairing.
you hit golf balls with her, she’d win.
you thought she was being reserved, she’d shock and awe.
you played pool with her, she’d crush you.
you picked out wine, she would say, “uh, no.”
her hat blew off, you’d chase it down the street.
you were on time, she was late.
you needed a friend, she was there.
you called her randomly, she’d never answer.
you needed to speak to her, she always picked up.
you saw her gesturing with gold ring with a purple stone, she’d be expressive.
you saw her eyes well up, she might tell you why.
you saw her flip her hair and laugh and smile, you’d see mischief.
you understood her, she’d change.
you felt love for her, she hugs you.
you weren’t sure how she felt, she’d say “I love you.”
she said she loved you, you felt love.
you said, “I love you,” it was right.
you sat next to her, it was home.
you thought maybe she could be yours, you realized she belonged to the world.
you saw how bright her candle burned, you realized she’d cast shadows forever.
you thought she was nowhere, she’s everywhere.
you thought she was somewhere, she’d come back.
you thought she’d always be here, she was gone.
you realized she’s always here, she is.
you realize she’s in your heart and mind, she's alive.
you know she’s everywhere.
she just is.

My deepest condolences to Michelle’s family. I had the pleasure of taking the photograph used here  of Michelle at my studio in LA. It was a wonderful day getting to know her. She was a bright light and such a lovely person.  May you all find strength and peace during this difficult time.

She’s the sun inside the grapes.
She’s the juice inside the wine.
She’s the sun inside the bottle.
She’s the purple in the color.
She’s the glint in the glass.
She’s the stubbornness of the deep vine.
She’s the range of the radiant sky.
She’s the comfort of the warm sun.
She’s the vulnerability of the tender soil.
She’s the star on the screen.
She’s the paint on the canvas.
She’s the art in the world.
She’s the thoughts in my mind.
She’s the warmth in my heart.
She’s the sadness in my soul.
She was my friend.
She is my friend.
She is forever.
She is free.

I just found out not even 30 minutes ago and I am still sitting here on this couch with my mouth open and my heart broken for your beautiful family. I had a privilege of working with Michelle, and when I tell you that this beautiful soul was the gentlest kindest woman I have encountered it is such an understatement. We kept in touch throughout the years and always encouraged each other in our lives and career. This world really did lose an angel. My sincerest and deepest condolences to your family, this loss and pain is Unbearable. Sending so much love and healing to all of you. To everyone who has lost this beautiful soul in their lives. My heart goes out to you 🙏🏽🤍🌺

I am heartbroken over the news of Michelle passing. Though we haven’t spoken in well over 20 years, the time I did spend with her as a teen, left an indelible mark on my life. My deepest condolences to the entire family. I speak for a lot of people, when I say she was a shining light and stood out wherever she went. 

♥️♥️♥️
Emilio

Dear Mr. and Mrs. LaFrance, Danielle and David, 
My heart is saddened to hear of the loss of Michelle.  She was my childhood best friend.  All the sleepovers, making up dance routines in the basement, looking for golf balls in backyard, encouraging me to sled down the massive hill, birthday parties and so many childhood memories stick out in my head.   Life brings you in different directions when you grow but I always thought of her and hoped to reconnect.  She will be forever apart of those she touched no matter what age we met her :)
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.   
With deepest sympathy,
Stephanie (Carulli)

I met Michelle almost 9 years ago at work in Santa Monica. After ending two years of employment I only kept in close contact with you, and I couldn’t even say exactly why. I have never searched for friendships, but we always got along regardless of some lack of similarities. Michelle was opinionated, outspoken, shameless, and free spirited- qualities that can be controversial for some, and exactly what I respected about her. We kept close and maintained a sort of random friendship until I returned to that job 18 months later. Michelle was exactly who she was, unapologetically blatant, feisty, and yet full of love and understanding, sometimes in a more subtle manner…I cannot wait to see you again, to be greeted with a smile, kiss and a hug.  The memories are endless even if they were spread out, often paused by a Francie adventure. I hope you are creating beautiful chaos at your next stop as you never fail to disturb the peace- in the best possible way. I love you so much and you will stay in my thoughts forever ❤️Until we meet again.

We got together this night to say bye for now when Michelle decided to go back to florida for a while. I can’t believe this was over 3 years ago, and I am so thankful now that you came back afterwards. These nights could never have ended early even if we tried.

I wouldn’t have survived this weekend without you

I could always count on you to come with me with an hours notice, for an impromptu Catalina adventure- you’d humor all company, and enjoy yourself no matter what. Your presence was infectious because there were never any apologies or worries.

We crashed a 30th birthday party in Hollywood that night. Coordination was unintentional, and after a few cheers we thought it was more amusing than it was. Nothing with you was ever short of mischief and amusement

Happy 44th… this was your last birthday I spent with you. If I could have known, I would have squeezed tighter and laughed longer

I don’t even remember when this was taken. It was one of many nights that we enjoyed wine together. Michelle and I met when I was so young, and she was so quick to protect me. I always felt so loved in her presence. She taught me how to be confident, and how to be unwavering about the confidence. She taught me the importance of emotional vulnerability. She never let me talk negatively or doubtfully about myself. I hope in sharing some photos, her loved ones can see how loved she was despite being far from home. I wish her loved ones peace, and that they know they are not alone in their grieving, as we all grieve with you as well. ❤️

This is a photo from her birthday one year. We spent all day enjoying Rosé at her studio. We listened to music, and she showed me all of her paintings. We lounged all day until it was time for dinner with her close friends.

Very old photo! These are all restaurant friends.

Dinner with the girls out in Venice, she was making all of us laugh with her shenanigans ❤️

This is a video from my birthday one year, when she took me to a concert. We spent that night backstage looking at the crowd light up as John Mayer sang on the piano.  We had the best time!

OBITUARY

Michelle Alane LaFrance

July 10, 1978 – January 14, 2024

Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens

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