Michele Simone Guilbault

1960 - 2011

Michele Simone Guilbault, 51, passed away Monday, Feb. 14, 2011, at her home surrounded by many friends and her Florida family after an extended, courageous and determined battle with breast cancer.

A memorial celebration will be held Feb. 18, 2011, at Kent-Forest Funeral Home in Panama City, Fla. Visitation is at 4 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Michele has asked that donations be made to the Michele S. Guilbault Scholarship Fund, in care of Seminole Boosters, Inc., P.O. Box 1353, Tallahassee, FL 32302.

Michele was born Jan. 7, 1960, in Montreal, Canada, and was a proud French Canadian who grew up speaking French as her primary language. She came to live in Tallahassee, Fla., in 1979 as the recipient of a full golf scholarship at Florida State University. Michele, a Canadian citizen, had been a U.S. resident since 1985, living in Tallahassee, Fla., and moving to Panama City Beach, Fla., in 2000. Before coming to school at FSU, Michele attended St. Thomas High School, graduated from Polyvalente Pierrefond, and attended CEGEP: St. Laurent in Canada. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education and was on the Dean's list at FSU in 1982. Subsequently, she furthered her interests and education with studies at Tallahassee Community College and Gulf Coast Community College attaining an Associate's degree in Business Administration. Michele worked as a dental assistant, veterinary technician and practice manager, chiropractic assistant and as a Professional Golfer and teacher. Growing up and throughout her life, Michele's first love was golf.

As a young amateur, Michele's golf accomplishments included Montreal District Champ (1975), Quebec Amateur Junior Champ (1976-77-78), Quebec Amateur Champ (1976-77-78) and runner-up Amateur Champ in 1979. She also was Quebec Mixed Champ (1977), Canadian Junior Champ (1978), and Canadian Team Winner in the Commonwealth Championship, Perth, Australia (1979). She was named Athlete of the Year in Quebec in 1981. Her amateur Golf Coach was Gordon McGinnis. An all round excellent athlete growing up, Michele took time out from golf to win several gold medal awards for downhill skiing in Quebec competitions, played ice hockey with a passion and played too many other sports to mention. By her 41st birthday, Michele churned up the waters off Panama City Beach wakeboarding, wake skating and wake surfing. In quiet times she could be found wherever there was water fishing and enjoying the salt life.

Michele won five individual collegiate golf tournament victories as a student athlete at Florida State University from 1979 to 1980. She was the Team Captain for all three years she played intercollegiate golf. Michele led the FSU golf team to the 1981 AIAW National Championship and received the All-America Award in 1981. For her outstanding collegiate career at FSU, Michele was inducted into the Florida State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 and became a Lifetime FSU Varsity Club member. In recognition of her athletic career and accomplishments friends, fans and teammates established the Michele Guilbault Endowed Scholarship in Golf at Florida State University in 2009. Michele described the establishment of this scholarship in her name for the education of future Lady Seminole golfers as the greatest honor of her life.

After her stellar collegiate career, golf was not over for "Mitch." Even though suffering a severe back injury in her senior year in college, Michele turned Professional in 1988 playing on the Florida Central Tour, the Futures Golf Tour and the L.P.G.A. Tour for five years. Due to her chronic back injury, "Mitch" retired from the tour and in 2003 retained her amateur status in golf. In the last weeks of her life she continued to play golf, even for nine holes, and continued to soundly beat all her friends.

In addition to working, golfing, wakeboarding and volunteering time assisting with the caretaking of animals at Zooworld in Panama City, Michele loved to watch puppies do what they do and spend time with her cherished friends. She took precious time and energy in the last weeks of her life to personally thank all those friends who have been there for her throughout her illness and with whom she shared great happiness.

Preceding Michele in death were her grandparents, Charles and Mildred Guilbault and Alphonse and Simone Dionne, Aunt Monique Tocci and Uncle Albert Guilbault.

Michele is survived by her parents, Paul and Denise Guilbault of Montreal, Canada; her sister, Lynn (Roger); brothers, Charles and Pierre (Marlene); nieces and nephews Vanessa, Antoine and Emily, Sarah and Simon; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and her stepson, Thomas G. Fowler. Her heart and soul rests with her life partner, Margaret P. Fowler, D.V.M., and she leaves precious little pet "ZZ" to continue to do what puppies do.

Kent-Forest Lawn
Funeral Home
2403 Harrison Ave.
Panama City, Fla. 32405
850-763-4694
www.kentforestlawn.com