Michele Anna Robotham Corey

My deepest condolences go out to Michele's family. I knew Michele through our work on the Kids Count project over the last 25+ years. She was the epitome of a child advocate and the children of Michigan were truly blessed to have her voice for them. You are gone from us too soon friend, may we continue your work forward in your honor.

I worked closely with Michele on various projects that focused on youth in the community. Michele was so passionate about advocating for disconnected youth. She would get fired up about injustices and making sure all youth had a voice in front of policy makers. She was always smiling and willing to do whatever it took to provide opportunities. It is with tremendous sadness and a heavy heart knowing that I won't be able to plan our Kids Speak events together anymore. My heart goes out to...

I worked with Michele briefly as an intern, and I could not think of a better mentor. In that short time, it was obvious how deeply she cared--and how adeptly she would advocate--for everyone in the community. I am honored to have known her.

I met Michele many years ago through my work in early childhood and out-of-school time programs at the Michigan Department of Education. We shared so many values and dreams for the field and the children of Michigan. Her life was far too short, but it made a big impact on the world. I’ll always remember her and her impact on me.

I remember wanting to be Michele's friend when she presented Kid's Count information in Kent County in 1998.(?). Her intellectual fierceness, energy, and kindness struck me. When I began working at Michigan Department of Education in 2005, I got to actually work with her. Perhaps my most treasured professional memories are of our shared work on the Superintendent's Dropout Challenge. Michele, Jan Ellis, Bersheril Bailey and I worked on dropout prevention for almost five years and I was so...

I had the pleasure and privilege to work with Michele on various dropout prevention collaborative efforts between Michigan's Children and the Michigan Department of Education. Michele was one of the most caring and committed individuals I have worked with. She will be missed. My prayers for comfort to her family and friends.

I had an opportunity to work with Michele in various roles for the last 20 years. She always fought the good fight for kids. She was a pleasure to work with, cared deeply about her work, and was so knowledgeable about policy issues. Even through challenges, her positive personality always prevailed.

I met Michele through MACAE and worked with her on many projects advocating for the betterment of people’s lives. Two words that describes Michele and how she lived life is, “giver”, and “family”. She taught MACAE and me how to advocate, and gave us her knowledge and expertise in working with legislators and policy makers. Michele was a strategic thinker, who was compassionate, kind and creative. I am going to miss our long discussions on how we would save the world and her stories of the...

Michele was my next door neighbor. How I will miss our visits together while taking a brake from yard work. Speaking with Michele was magical. Michele was smart, insightful, and absolutely hilarious! Michele loved her life with Tom and their beautiful children. Whenever I saw her from afar with her family, her eyes and body language revealed a woman filled with joy and gratitude. She loved them with all her heart.