This memorial website was created in memory of Michelle Renee Oakes, known to many of her colleagues as "Mo." Like all of us, Michelle played many roles throughout her life. She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, friend, co-worker, and fellow traveller, a neighbor, a volunteer, a mentor, a cousin, a roommate, or just a familiar face at the neighborhood cafe.
New event information:
Where: 130 Fox Hollow Road, Woodside
When: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. or thereabouts
Who: You and anyone who knew and loved Michelle
What: Still an informal gathering enjoying some mostly catered refreshments. We'll have a backyard-friendly PA system playing music, and at some point we'll start a chain of people sharing stories, saying hello, expressing whatever they would like to express, however they would like to express it. Russ really wants to emphasize the casual nature of the event: shorts and t-shirts will be encouraged.
Detailed Directions: From 280, take the Woodside Road exit to the West, through Woodside (one stop sign). Go past the fire station and past the elementary school on your left. The first left after the school is Fox Hollow Road (little street, easy to miss). Turn left on Fox Hollow. Go across the little bridge, and then soon you'll see a mailbox with "130" on your left, but you want to turn right, up the driveway, across from the mailbox.
Parking: Only a few cars can park at the top of the driveway next to the house. So when you come up the driveway, just as the asphalt turns to the right you can park on the field next to the tennis court or you can go a little further and park on the open space next to the vineyard. There should be plenty of parking space on the property, but If you have to park on the street, make sure you park on the right side, facing away from Woodside Road.
Tributes
Leave a tributeI know it drove you crazy when we kept giving you ugly stuffed animals as gifts, but I loved hearing your sighs of exasperation. I always see your beautiful smile whenever I think of you, which is often.
Love,
Bob
Leave a Tribute
I know it drove you crazy when we kept giving you ugly stuffed animals as gifts, but I loved hearing your sighs of exasperation. I always see your beautiful smile whenever I think of you, which is often.
Love,
Bob
I met Michelle in London in 1986 when we began studying in the same Master’s degree program at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies. Together with Sabina Gasper, also studying at SSEES, we became a tight triumverate. I soon became indebted to my two new friends in more ways that I can ever express here.
Not long after arriving in London I was hit by a truck while cycling home from class. I ended up in hospital with a badly shattered leg. Even though it was still early days of friendship, Sabina and Michelle visited me regularly on the ward. That fundamental kindness is something that I loved very much in Michelle, along with her sharp mind and wicked sense of humour. I wasn’t alone in looking forward to her visits. She helped cheer up everyone on the ward.
In hospital, I lived London life vicariously through Michelle’s vivid descriptions of new neighbourhoods or clubs she’d stumbled across. Later, when I was mobile, we explored them together. Michelle’s zest for discovery was infectious and made time in London so much fun.
When she was between apartments, Michelle came to stay with me. That was when I met all the great people Michelle knew from outside university, including Jill and her slightly scary Doberman that guarded her so well. But the best part was being roommates and experiencing so much warmth and wonderful companionship during what was a time of great change for both of us. I soon moved to Eastern Europe and then to Soviet Ukraine to work as a journalist. We kept in touch by phone and through letters and that’s how I first heard about Russ. I don’t think Michelle would have minded if I included this passage from one of her letters:
"Was I going out with Russ the last time I talked to you? We've been going out since March of last year and living together for the past nine months. He's a cute long-haired Berkeley boy, age 27; loves playing music and hiking; works in a jeweller's supply shop to finance the music and hiking habit. It's such a good [underlined twice] relationship, Susan -- I believe it's forever; we've both committed to it. Wow. That's a huge statement to make, isn't it? but it feels right. And Sabina approves! You'll get your chance one of these days -- I hope to see you sometime fairly soon."
The letter was dated June 3, 1993. Michelle and I lost touch not long after that but I thought of her often back then, as I do now. She was a wonderful person. I feel lucky to have met Michelle and to have had her as a friend.