Michelle has worked as a Registered Nurse for over forty years, primarily in critical care, emergency and palliative care. Her thesis for her M.A. (Pastoral Ministry) from Assumption University, Windsor, reflected her interest in spirituality and palliative care and was subsequently published. Befriending Death: Henri Nouwen and a Spirituality of Dying (Orbis Books, New York, 2009) has sold over 6,500 copies worldwide. In 2012, Michelle collaborated with palliative care and grief expert Eugene Dufour to publish her second book, Embracing the End of Life: Help for Those Who Accompany the Dying. (Novalis, Toronto, 2012). It is a practical guide filled with inspirational stories, self-reflective questions and conversation starters for understanding end-of-life issues and discussing death and dying with others. It is valuable for anyone touched by dying and grief, including those involved in health care and ministry. In March of 2020, she released her third book, titled Healthy Caregiving: Perspectives for Caring Professionals, in company with Henri J.M. Nouwen. (Novalis, Toronto, 2020). It is an encouraging, reflective resource for professionals working in a care sector, including health care, social work, chaplaincy and other related professions. Infused with the wisdom of Henri Nouwen, this rich and hope-filled book helps caregivers to become more intentional and wholistic in how they respond to those they care for every day, including themselves.
While always nursing part-time, Michelle enjoyed 14 years as a lay Pastoral Minister in Chatham and 2 years with the Diocese of London as a Lay Ecclesial Ministry Specialist, supporting the lay ministers and parish nurses. During that time, she helped to develop the Foundations in Parish Nursing education program through St. Peter’s Seminary and acted as its coordinator until 2016. She has also facilitated many retreat days for various groups and provided training for victim services personnel and parish visiting volunteers.
An assignment in 2014 led her to help design, build and open a new ten-bed hospice. This was truly a labour of love and high point of her nursing career. In December of 2017, Michelle retired from an Integrated Role as Program Coordinator for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Palliative Care and Oncology programs, and the Chatham-Kent Hospice. She likes to say she is ‘semi-retired’ as now she has more time to devote to the teaching and writing she enjoys. A frequent speaker and educator for many sectors in the areas of caregiving, resilience, spirituality and palliative care, she assists organizations to support their professional and volunteer caregivers.
Michelle is currently a member of the Canadian Palliative Care Nursing Association Board of Directors, and is a Trustee with the Henri Nouwen Society Legacy Trust.
A mother of four and grandma of Ollie, Michelle and her husband Tom live in Chatham Ontario. She enjoys reading, travelling and spending time with family and friends.
Michelle is professional and engaging, and made me very comfortable as the event planner. She always responded quickly to my communications and was very helpful. As the keynote speaker at our event, Michelle warmed up the crowd, was inspiring and her compassion was felt throughout the room. She set the tone for the day as thoughtful, kind and full of self-care. I would highly recommend her speaking and presentation style to others.
~Alexandra Allen,
Hospice of Waterloo Region