Michelle V. Minor

On Feb. 11, 2024, Michelle V. Minor passed away peacefully in Anchorage. While it is her wish not to disclose her birth date, her grace, radiant smile, and style were timeless. Michelle's fierce independence, big-hearted generosity, sharp wit and intellectual acuity were just a few highlights of her free-spirited nature that will be so missed.

Michelle graduated early from Point Loma High School in San Diego, California, and moved to Fairbanks to enroll in the University of Alaska. After losing all of her possessions in the historic Fairbanks flood, she worked for the Small Business Administration processing the loans which were instrumental in Fairbanks' recovery following the flood. Michelle then transferred to the University of Washington, where she completed her bachelor's and master's degree and all of her Ph.D. coursework in English literature. She then made a career change and graduated from the University of Washington School of Law. Michelle was a lifelong member of both the Washington and Alaska Bar Associations. She was well regarded in the legal community and well known for her deep care and consideration of sensitive casework, cheerily "bringing happiness to the miserable."

Michelle was an impressive outdoors woman, known for her love of fishing, kayaking, camping, and much more. She often declared, "It's not a Great Alaskan Adventure unless you're cold and wet!" She had many tales of travels throughout Alaska with some of the state's most prominent and pioneering minds. Michelle also traveled extensively internationally, from all over Europe to Tibet, India and Vietnam, and even co-piloted a small plane from Alaska to the Yucatan.

Michelle was well known for her gracious entertaining and for being "like a second mom" to many of her daughter's friends, who gathered yearly to perform the elaborate, original plays Michelle wrote based on their Halloween costumes. Michelle loved hosting parties for every occasion, and was an exceptional gourmet cook, as well as an expert in wine, having co-founded a wine import business. Michelle was often an "unconventional" host, making many a "different" dish for her eclectic group of friends and the chosen family she created. She was frequently described as colorful and vibrant, and is no doubt the life of the party on the other side - and, she's probably hosting.

Michelle is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Minor, of Asheville, North Carolina. She is known as "Mimi" to Jennifer's loving children, Julian Emerald and Adira. Michelle is survived by her brother, Michael Minor, of Ramona, California. Michelle also lives on through the family she helped create through her dear friend, Rita Allee, of Fairbanks, and Rita's daughter, Mercedes Colbert of Juneau.

Michelle's family and dear friends will continue to shine her light, tell her stories, share her recipes, and think of her through travels, parties, and great adventures - and bring her ashes out at parties, per her last request!