It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Michele Leigh Kercher (nee Tarnowski). She passed away peacefully on Friday, November 10, 2023 at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre at the age of 47 years, surrounded by loved ones and family. The family would like to thank all the doctors and staff who looked after Michele during this difficult time.
Michele was born and raised in Red Deer, Alberta, on July 19, 1976, where she completed her schooling and continued to live in the city for the rest of her life. Michele was an avid fan of music and movies of all types. Over many years she also enjoyed taking road trips during the summer out to British Columbia to be with and spend time with many of her family members that lived there. She always loved being out in nature and the mountains. Michele also had a great care and love towards animals throughout her life. Especially when it came towards her cats, or babies as she used to call them. Over the years Michele also spent a lot of her time towards volunteer work and fundraising. She was a dedicated, committed person who was passionate about helping people. She never allowed her condition of Muscular Dystrophy to be an obstacle in supporting those in need and was always ready to help. She also volunteered on the crisis program helpline for nine years before becoming a CASASC (Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Center) employee for a further seven years. Michele quickly transitioned from the phone call crisis program to the complex Text and Webchat program. She then took on the responsibility of training new volunteers and SART members. Michele dedicated her life to this program; she was on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. She was always there for volunteers who had questions or concerns or just needed a debrief after a difficult call. In recognition of her service, Michele was nominated for the 2015 Front Line Service Providers’ Award. She received the Mayor’s Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service in 2016. Michele will remain in the hearts and memories of all her family and friends, as well as staff and volunteers who knew her and had the privilege to work alongside her, being inspired by her true humanitarian spirit. Her positive outlook on life should be modelled by us all. She will be sorely missed by all the family and friends whose lives she had touched. Michele was predeceased by her father, Allan Tarnowski and she is survived by her loving husband, Scott Kercher; her brother, Aaron Tarnowski and her mother, Fay Tarnowski (nee Houston).

“How lucky I am to
have something that
makes saying goodbye
so hard”
~ Winnie the Pooh

If desired, Memorial Donations in Michele’s honor may be made directly to Muscular dystrophy Canada at www. Muscle.ca or Whisker rescue at www.whiskerrescue.com. A Celebration of Michele’s Life will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023 at 1:00 pm at the Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium. 6287 – 67A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER

• Date : 2023-11-25
• Location : Locally Family Owned (Red Deer) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com