Michelle Renee LaPointe was born in La Mirada, CA to DeWayne and Eva LaPointe and her older brother, Tony. After a few relocations, her family settled in Vancouver, WA in 1988. At age 15, Michelle had a kidney transplant at OHSU in Portland, OR. She graduated from Hudson's Bay High School, Class of '92 where she studied her favorite subjects of sign language and medical terminology. She attended Clark College in Vancouver for a short time where she met her husband, Aaron Dean. They were married on June 1, 1996 and lived in Vancouver where Michelle held various administrative positions for local companies including customer service manager for Waste Connections, Inc. She was actively involved in children's ministry at Praise Chapel in Portland, OR. She gave birth to her pride and joy, Samuel Isaac on September 28, 2002 and survived complete kidney failure after 3 days in ICU. She moved to Mount Vernon in February 2005, as her husband sought new opportunity in the area. Michelle was finally able to work in the medical field, a passion of hers, as an administrative assistant for the transcription unit at Skagit Valley Hospital. In July of 2006, Michelle's transplanted kidney failed, and she began dialysis which forced her to quit working outside the home. She cared for her son, Sammy, and volunteered in the Citipoint Church office and preschool as her strength permitted. In addition, she was a vital member of the technical production team for Sunday services at Citipoint Church where she was a member. In 2008, Michelle developed painful calcium deposits as a result of rare complications with dialysis. In order to give of herself to her family, she endured severe pain until it was unbearable and had to enter the hospital in late October 2008. After four months of enduring painful treatments in various hospitals and facilities, Michelle exhausted all medical solutions for recovery. With massive infection threatening her life, Michelle made the difficult decision to spend her last days at home, surrounded by family. She passed away peacefully on March 21, 2009. Michelle is survived by her husband of 12 years, Aaron, her six-year-old son, Sammy, Her Father DeWayne LaPointe; Mother Eva LaPointe; Brother Tony LaPointe, his wife Tammy, their daughter, Ashley; Mother-in-law – Laura Dean; Brothers-in-law Matthew Dean, Johnny Dean, Tim Dean, his wife Karen, their children, Justin, Chris and Summer and numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins on both sides. . A Funeral Service will be held Saturday March 28, 2009, 12:00pm at Citipoint Church 830 N 16th in Mount Vernon with a reception to follow, 2:00pm in the Church's Gym.