Michelle Ann Gordon

Michelle Ann Gordon died at the age of 63 on June 1st, 2021 at her home in North Fort Myers,
Florida.
Michelle Ann Gordon was born December 12, 1957 to Dolores and Ronald Newberry in
Fredericksburg, Virginia. Her younger brother Ronald D. Newberry was born to her parents on
June 4th, 1963. She grew up much of her life traveling. Having a father in the military had many
perks and challenges. She learned to make friends quickly, adapt, and to become confident.
She lived in Hawaii, Virginia, Connecticut and a number of other states growing up. Her family's
main residence was in Connecticut though. Michelle excelled at school because she was
smart, and driven. She had an untamed side to her though. Sometimes she boasted about
locking her kindergarten teacher in the closet. Or defying her mother’s no makeup rule by hiding
a lunchbox full of makeup that she had hidden along her way to school. Nevertheless her wild
took her on through life, and she lived everyday. When she graduated she went into the United
States Army. She was one of very few women within the service. She was proud to serve her
country. Later while she was posted in Texas she met Johnny Bull. She fell in love, got
pregnant, was discharged honorably from the army and moved to Arkansas. There she married
Johnny Bull and welcomed her first daughter Rhonda Diane Bull to this world. She was a mom
through and through now. She later divorced Johnny Bull and moved to Connecticut to reside
near her family. She was a practicing Catholic for some of her life, but she always was spiritual.
In 1987 she met a man she was very interested in. Later that year on November 30, 1987 she
welcomed her second daughter Krystle Leanne Bull. She never married Ken Sariego, and
though he never wanted to be a part of his daughter's life, Michelle did. A short time after
having Krystle, Michelle met Charles Richard Gordon. They married. Michelle and Charles
welcomed Charlene Rose Gordon into the world on January 28th, 1991. Later after moving to
Florida to live, they welcomed Melinda Jade Gordon, May 19, 1994.
Being a mom was the best and hardest part of her life, but it was what she was most proud of in
this world. She said a few weeks before her passing “If I did one thing right in this world it was
having you girls.” To support her family Michelle did what she could. She was resourceful and
devoted. She worked at times several jobs to provide the means for her family to live. She
moved her family each year or two between California and Florida. She liked to travel and she
wanted freedom, wild, and to live. These humble beginnings would have a lasting impact on her
daughters. They saw how Michelle worked hard for her family, how at times with the struggles
of life she’d also play hard.
Michelle stayed in contact with her brother, Ronald J Newberry. She loved her nephews Ronald
Newberry, Ryan Newberry and Jacob Newberry. She was a great aunt to her boys, and enjoyed
her time so much with them. They enjoyed Michelle’s zeal for life and her ability to make you
laugh.
On February 10, 2002, Michelle welcomed her first granddaughter into the world, Brianna Maria
Ruiz. She was so in love with her daughters, daughter. Later that same year she welcomed her
next two grandchildren Rachel Michelle Ruiz and Jorge Luiz Ruiz into the world with her
daughter Rhonda, on December 27, 2002. She helped her daughter take care of her children,
and when her daughter was unable to take care of her children, Michelle stepped in. She
supported and took care of 3 older daughters and 3 small children. Her daughters helped her
take on this task and learned young the sacrifice and the heart it takes to be a caregiver.
Michelle lived a life of sacrifice.
A few years later Michelle could no longer sustain how much she gave and her heart began to
give. She went through an open heart surgery. She no longer was able to work and could no
longer take care of everyone. Her daughters were much older at this time and several started
their lives. Her grandchildren went to their father, while Michelle’s daughter was away. She
wished so much that she was able to watch them grow but sometimes we don’t have a choice.
There were differences between the two families and reconciliation was not in the cards.
Michelle divorced Charles and began a new chapter of her life. One for her. One where she had
freedom of choice, more time, and one where she could focus on herself.
On March 12, 2012 her newest grandbaby Chad Michael Bolt was welcomed into the world by
his mother Charlene. Years later her daughter Charlene had a second child, Sophia Rose
Pagan was born on 02/29/2016. The final grandchild Michelle was able to witness and watch
grow was Lincoln Allen Lee born 04/06/2018 to Krystle.
Michelle loved being a grandma. Her family was of utmost importance to her. She wanted to
watch those babies grow and to help how she could. She was a great, caring, kind, loving,
memaw and she has left a mark on their lives.
Michelle carried many memories dear to her heart. She loved the cliffs in California and the
beach. Once in California while doing laundry in the laundromat she and her daughters
re-enacted the velociraptor scene that is within the movie jurassic park. She was a hilarious
velociraptor. Her favorite disney ride was It’s a Small world and her favorite Christmas was
getting to take her four girls to disneyland. She loved the boat races, and the bike nights. She
loved her time with her brother and her nephews in Connecticut.
She loved coffee and letters with Rhonda, her dinner dates with Krystle and her daily talks with
Melinda. She always thought she was most like Charlene. She treasured her relationships with
her daughters. Michelle often said I can count on one hand the number of true friends I have had in this life. Perhaps because she wasn’t one for small talk. Some of those friends that she always had stories of and that she loved were Lori in Connecticut, Alice in California, and Randy and Manu
in Florida.
Her family will remember her every time they drink a cup of coffee, see a Denny's, or take a bite
of a gyro sandwich or lasagna. When they look up in the clouds. When they see a bluejay, or
hear someone toot. When they see antiques, oriental knick knacks, sparkly barrettes, hawaiian
dresses, garden fairies or little angels. When they misplace their glasses or look down at the
cats and dogs they love, that she loved. When they go to buffets where she would bring
tupperware, when they smell shepherd's pie, or hear the theme song to the Young and the
Restless. When they look at something in a hotel or a restaurant that she would want to take.
When they taste the boxed chocolate covered cherries she would get them every
Christmas. When they hear the word memaw, or mom. When they watch their own children grow
and think of how to keep going and what to do in the hard times. When they go to the beach, or
to disney. When they need a hug from the best hug giver, they will remember what it's like to be
truly loved, wholly wanted and always accepted.
Michelle is survived by her daughters Krystle Lee, Charlene Bolt, and Melinda Gordon. Her
grandchildren Brianna Ruiz, Jorge Ruiz, Rachel Ruiz, Chad Bolt, Sophia Pagan and Lincoln
Lee. Her brother and sister in law Ronald J. Newberry and Julie Newberry. Her nephews Ronald
Newberry, Ryan Newberry and Jacob Newberry. She was preceded in death by Rhonda Bull, her
daughter, whom she is with now.
She was a loving, unapologetic, fierce, powerful force of a woman that could get through
anything and everything. She was stubborn and spirited. Like her brother said “she lived
everyday.” Toward the end of her life she enjoyed her peace, her coffee, her porch, her soap operas and daily news. She enjoyed the simple things. A comfy cold bed, a good talk, a breakfast out, or a day in.
The amount of impact she has rippled onto the lives of others is a tidal wave. She will be
missed immeasurably. She led a full life and through its ups and downs she ended on a high
note. In true Michelle fashion.
“When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not here to see, if the sun should rise and find our
eyes, filled with tears for me. I wish so much you wouldn’t cry, the way you did today. While
thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say. And each time you think of me, I know you’ll
miss me too. When tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart, for every time you
think of me, I’m right there in your heart.”
Michelle will be honored at St. Andrews Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m., June 25, 2021. She will
also be honored at the Veterans Cemetery in Sarasota on July 5, 2021.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.