Michelle McGriff

Michelle McGriff (1973 - 2026)

Michelle Lee McGriff, also known as Lady Sabelle - the Mistress of Miniscule, for her highly detailed and beautiful sculptures, passed peacefully in her sleep on 22 January 2026, the year of, as she would call it, the 23rd anniversary of her 29th birthday (or age 52 for "normal" folks). She leaves a lifetime of love and laughter to Charles McGriff, her loving husband of 33 years, and their two cats Doc and Missy.

Michelle and Chuck met at a D&D game and had an instant connection that quickly developed into a fairytale romance – which endured for their entire relationship. They married a year to the day after they met so she could accompany him to Japan where he was reassigned by the Air Force. There, she skillfully navigated the challenges of a military wife, while also finding the time to explore the SCA and join the local theater guild for several small productions, including a stint as director. These experiences fueled the love of creative pursuits that colored her life.

After several military reassignments and the hardships of her husband's many deployments, she embraced her creativity fully when he retired in 2009. Her hobbies led to her true passion of miniature-scale sculpting for role-playing games. She started a business selling her own creations, until her talents caught the eye of Dwarven Forge founder, Stefan Pokorny and she started her dream job as a professional sculptor. Over the next decade she worked with a number of talented artists and created hundreds of intricate and elegant pieces which grace the game tables of thousands of players all over the world. Her artistic legacy will inspire stories and adventures for years to come.

She is survived by her parents Anne and Myren Iverson; her brothers Scott, Brent, Rob, and Rich Iverson; many nieces and nephews; and also her mother-in-law Gina McGriff and sister-in-law Shauna Keller.

In accordance with her wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. She preferred that anyone who knew and loved her to celebrate her life and your happy times together. Have an Irish wake (she married into the name, so it applies) or a fun game night and share your stories, laugh, and remember her wicked smile and sharp wit.