MICHELLE J. CARPENTER

1959 - 2015

Michelle J. Carpenter was born in Joplin, Mo., on March 28, 1959, and went to heaven Monday, February 16, 2015, at her home in Carefree, Ariz., after a courageous and faith filled battle with numerous health issues, most recently a series of mini strokes. Michelle was raised in Joplin and has wonderful memories of her childhood growing up with loving parents and two brothers. Her grandparents and great aunt were a big part of her life, along with many friends she went to school with in Joplin. She received her bachelor's degree from Missouri Southern in Joplin and her MBA at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan. She remained there on the facility of the School of Business and was the Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship. It was there she met her husband, David who had returned at Homecoming to receive the Outstanding Young Alumnus award in 1987. It was love at first sight and she joined him in Hays, Kan., where he was President of Hadley Regional Medical Center. Theirs was a story book love for the ages and she was a wonderful wife and so supportive of David's busy career. The Michelle David met, before her health problems, was a beautiful and smart woman. She had her pilot's license before her driver's license, was a master scuba diver, went to Outward Bound the New Mexico wilderness and was a hot air balloon racer. She was full of life and loved a good adventure. One year into their marriage, Michelle developed what was considered a terminal brain tumor and they gave her a 20% chance of living two years. She faced this challenge with a positive attitude and deep faith. It was nothing short of a miracle that she survived the next 25 years even with so many health issues and living with such pain for years, she never complained or felt sorry for herself. It was a visit from her Guardian Angel, Rose in 1992 that further defined her faith. Rose came to visit her one night and told her to live her life in service of others, that Rose would watch over her and come to take her to heaven when it was time. This gave her the ability to not worry about anything and to have no fear of death. There was no doubt Rose would come to take her to heaven and did just that. They moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., in 1993 and fell in love with the Arizona sunshine and desert. When David accepted the position as President of North Kansas City Hospital his promise to Michelle was that they would return to Arizona one day and they moved to Carefree, Ariz., about three years ago. Her life was dedicated to helping others. She served as a hospice volunteer for 20 years, worked with cancer and brain tumor support groups, was co-chair of the Harvest Ball, one of Kansas City's largest charity events, Board of Family Conservancy, was active in Hillside Christian Church in Kansas City and Highlands Church in Scottsdale, where she both attended and taught bible study. She read the bible cover to cover four times and was a prayer warrior. Her faith was strong; it never wavered to the end. She had no fear, had no regrets, and a strong belief in the rewards of heaven. She taught everyone about what Christian faith looks like by just living her life. She was kind, gentle, sweet, loving, always had an interest in others' lives, strong willed, always with a sense of humor and a dear friend to many. A series of mini strokes, the result of her Radiation Therapy for her brain tumor 25 years ago and a bad fall January 3 left her wheelchair bound and with 24/7 caregivers in the home, along with Hospice of the Valley. David could not say enough about the excellent care she received. The outpouring of support, love and friendship for both David and Michelle was humbling and amazing. Friends from Arizona and from all the many phases of their lives provided great support. All the calls, texts, visits, caring bridge.com comments, meals for David and the outpouring of prayers was so appreciated. Michelle is out of pain and in the gentle arms of the Lord as she never had any doubt that Rose would return to take her to heaven. Hers was a life of putting others first, regardless of her health issues, being a loving wife and a great friend to so many people. This was a life well lived and will be long remembered. They decided to have two services, one in Kansas City and one in Arizona so that family and friends could celebrate her life as easily as possible. David, her husband, plans to be the only person at both services. Michelle is survived by her husband, David Carpenter of Carefree, her parents, Ken and Billie Jenkins, brother, John and Kim Jenkins all of Joplin, brother, Mike and Debbie Jenkins and their niece, nephew and great niece, Amy and Joe Getz, James, Christine and Harper Grace Jenkins of Omaha, Neb. Michelle and David strongly requested donations to the following charities in lieu of flowers. Harvest Ball Endowment, PO Box 34423, Kansas City, MO 64116 or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014. Services in Kansas City will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Hillside Christian Church, 900 NE Vivion Rd., Kansas City, MO 64118 followed by a celebration of life from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Piropos, 4141 N. Mulberry Dr., Kansas City. Services in Arizona will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85014 followed by a celebration of life from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Desert Forest Golf Club, 37207 N. Mule Train Rd., Carefree, AZ 85377.