Michael Minshall

Michael Minshall was born in the NE section of Portland, Oregon, known as the Rose City area. It had older narrow side streets and a wander friendly ambience where people knew most of their neighbors up and down the block. Mike's arrival was exciting as we thought we were only going to have one child … Barbara Jean. He was quiet and easy going like his Dad and was always smiling. He followed his sister's lead in and out of one escapade after another; including climbing and picking wild cherries until they got sick, discovering 'treasures' in the back 40 and dragging them home, playing down at the Dungeness and camping on the Hoh.

The construction economy was in a downturn back then we moved to Sequim, which was just beginning a new chapter of growth and development. With 1 1/2 acres of property to play in, Mom knew she would never have to worry about the kids; then she heard a tuneful honking of a car horn. A look out the window showed her that 18 month old Michael was toddling down the road in his diaper.

The kids did well in school going to Queen of Angeles School through 8th grade then onto Sequim High School. Mike had great friends for sports, biking, paintball, skateboarding, snowboarding, cars and weaponry.

Both children worked for their Dad as he started up his garage door business here in Sequim, picking up screws and fallen tools, set up and clean up on each job and finally installation and service. Mikes experience held him in good stead when he began working for Kitsap Garage Door Company out of Bremerton.

Suddenly he fell ill with acute lymphoma leukemia and was hospitalized for over a year in Seattle at the UW hospital and transitional housing. His coworkers at Kitsap Door moved all his belongings back to his parents home and cleaned up the rental so he could get his deposit back.

Mike fought through this ordeal with a dignity and strength that amazed the people around him. He charmed the hospital staff with his upbeat humor and worked hard to regain his strength.

People were wonderful to him with prayers, cards, gifts and visits when he could have them. His Aunt Jill belonged to Juana Marimba Group and they provided Mike with many Amazon gift cards giving him many hours of researching and shopping for items he could enjoy. They even got him an artificial Christmas Tree so he could celebrate at the Pete Gross House (transitional housing for bone marrow transplant recipients), when he finally got out of the hospital.

Struggles with complications followed Michael for many years and his health continued to deteriorate no matter how hard he and his health team from the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and the UW Hospital fought to stave them off. He was supported by his many friends, his family, the marimba gals, the people of Queen of Angeles Church and School, and St. Joseph Church. A BIG thank you goes out to all of these people, especially to Dani, David, Eric, Jared, Aunt Jill, Jake and Em, Barbara and Roman. You all kept his spirits up as well as his desire to keep going.

Michael died peacefully January 4, 2019, at the UW Hospital surrounded by his family who sang him into his next journey.

The Celebration of Life for Michael will be held February 16, 2019, at the Sequim Prairie Grange, 290 Macleay Rd, at 11:30 AM. Lunch will be served.