Michelle Marie Harris was a gift to Sharon
and Micheal Harris on October 2, 1997. She was a very
smart child and young adult. She had ambitions that wouldn’t let her
illness hold her back. She became critically ill two weeks after her
eighteenth birthday. She fought a long nine years.
In her early years, she attended the Westchester School District.
Upon entering high school, Michelle took a required entrance exam
and was accepted into Proviso Math Science Academy. She was
determined to graduate with her class of 2016. Even though she was
on ECMO, she was honored as prom queen.
She later attended classes to become an ER RN like her mom. She
said she wanted a lot of initials behind her name, like her mom. She
did become a CNA, a stepping stone to her goal.
Regardless of her health struggles, she wanted to live a normal life.
She had a son when doctors said she would never have kids. She met
the love of her life, Hector Vazquez III, and later had a son, Hector
IV. They were engaged and planned to wed in Las Vegas. Hector was
good to Michelle, being supportive, giving her everything she wanted.
He was there at every operation, procedure, and hospitalization.
Preceding her in death: her maternal grandfather, Jesse Richardson;
great-grandmother, Hattie Rowser; paternal grandparents, Hattie
and Billie Joe Pearson; grandfather, Pete Smith; and uncles, Micheal
Smith and Kenny Smith.
She leaves to mourn her memories: fiancé, Hector Vazquez III;
son, Hector Vasquez; parents, Sharon and Micheal Harris; special
person she called mom, her second mom, Melissa Gonzales; two
siblings, Sammy (Tenesha) and Nicole (Roland); five nieces and
nephews, Christian, Gabrella, Ezra, and Aria, and special nephew,
Jayden; uncles and aunts, Beverly (Larry), Napolean (Deidra), Terry,
Beverly (Tony), Gayvella (Ricky), Kay, Renee (Nate), Keith, Kenneth
(Tanya), Gregory (Nedra), Frances (Henry), and Tina; and a host of
cousins and friends.