Passed from this world on the evening of February 10th 2024 in her newly purchased home on Whidbey Island.

Michelle (Shelly to many) was born to Daisy Ruth and Norman Desdier on July 9th 1959 in Concord California.

At ages 10 her family left California and moved to the south end of Whidbey Island.

Michelle attended Langley elementary school, junior high and lastly Langley high school. She graduated in the summer of 1977. Michelle had fond memories as a teenager bombing around in her dear friend Jodi’s classic 1960’s Chevy to parties in the woods and io the beaches of South Whidbey. Here she enjoyed a happy life with her many friends; some of which are still close to this day.

With high school behind her, she furthered her education at”Everett Community College “. Earning a AA in marine science.

Next Michelle enrolled at “The Evergreen State College” to continue her education in the sciences. Here she moved into the dorms on campus where she again made many friends, some she still is in contact with including the man she would later marry: Andrew (Andy) Leitz.

Evergreen had a big impact on Michelle. Michelle was a can do person always focusing on professionalism both in her career as well as her personal life. She had a mind of her own and spoke it no matter whom she addressed.

After graduating with a bachelors in marine biology she found it hard to land a job in her field. Diploma in hand she took a chance on her boyfriend Andy’s plan to go up to Alaska for the summer to make some money. Alaska he told her, “had jobs and needed young people”. The two made their way up to Ketchikan on the Alaska marine highway ferry in June of 1984. They staked out a tent just south of town where many other young people had already camped hoping to land a job in one of the salmon canneries. Here they waited out the month of June.

Finally Michelle answered an add for camp work with South Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association. (SSRAA) the job entailed harvesting eggs from wild chum salmon at a remote egg take. This was Nakat river at the head of Nakat Inlet. She spent the summer spawning wild chum, tending to the eggs which were picked up nightly by float planes taking them to the hatchery. The summer of 1984 spawned a career with SSRAA which lasted 37 years until Michelle was diagnosed with two separate life threatening cancers. She was then forced to finally, reluctantly retire from the hatcheries she loved. Michelle was proud of the fish she helped create as well as the profits made by the fishermen who harvested them.

Michelle and husband bought a house living in Ketchikan the majority of her adult life. Though she loved Alaska she had always had a desire to someday return to her beloved Whidbey Island.

Michelle was a feminist through and through working in a part of the world dominated by men. She did the same grueling work, withstood the same inclement weather year after year with the best of them; always cheerful full of vigor, determination and integrity.

When not rearing fish Michelle mostly enjoyed her garden. She would spend hours after her job working the soil of her many beds nurturing the plants late into the Alaskan night. Her deck was so crowded with blossoming flowers one would be struck with awe at how well all the colors ,shapes and brilliance engulfed the space. Her talent for gardening was generously shared with friends and associates of the Ktn garden club.

Mostly Michelle cherished her family. Living in Alaska, she didn’t get to see her brother sister nieces and nephews as much as she would have preferred but the distance did not stop her from trying to be involved in their lives. She shopped for birthday and Christmas gifts for each and every one tailoring the gift carefully for each individual. She often mentioned how family meant everything to her. Her love for them was immeasurable.Her sister Norma was exceptionally close to her as she spoke or texted daily and brother Mark often.

Michelle graced this world for 64 years. She made her mark in all the fish flowers wonderful meals and the gratifying spirit of love and fellowship she gave all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. Please remember her as the lover mentor and warrior she was.

Please dig a hole, plant a flower so that when it blooms you will think of Michelle ( Shelly)!