Michele Jesse

Michele A. Jesse 1967-2015 Michele was born to Nelda and Jim DiRezza at Lutheran Hospital on November 30, 1967. She was raised with her younger brother Marc in Arvada. In her youth, Michele enjoyed riding horses, skiing with her family, and dressing her brother in skirts. Throughout her childhood she attended Faith Lutheran Church in Golden. While in high school at Arvada West, Michele worked with the Keystone Ski Patrol. Upon graduating from high school she pursued a career as a travel agent, but soon decided to join the police academy at Arapahoe Community College.  Michele worked briefly for the Broomfield Police Department before obtaining a position with the Boulder Police Department. Michele would often swing by Marc’s fraternity in uniform after a shift while he attended the University of Colorado. At first glance Marc’s fraternity brothers would comment “oh no it’s the police,” but when Michele came into view they would say in relief: “phew, it’s just Marc’s little sister.” Marc would follow his sister’s footsteps into a career as a police officer. Michele was truly honored, and extremely proud, the day that she pinned Marc’s badge on him after he was sworn in as an officer with the Lakewood Police Department. Although Michele’s police career was cut short due to an injury she suffered while on duty she continued serving as a dispatcher for Boulder, Arvada, and Westminster. Her adventurous spirit would also lead her to work at Denali National Park in Alaska and McMurdo Base in Antarctica. During Michele’s transition from police officer to dispatcher she began to avidly pursue her desire to travel the world. For the remainder of her life she traveled extensively throughout the world. Of all the places she traveled she had a special love for the people, landscapes and wildlife of Africa. She was so excited to share her passion to travel with her son. In 2004 she met her husband, and soul mate, Ian Jesse. They were married on May 29, 2007 in a beautiful ceremony on the beaches of Cozumel, Mexico. God blessed Ian and Michele with a son, Taylor James. Michele was an amazing mother to her son. She resigned from her position as a dispatcher to be a fulltime mother. Michele loved taking outings with her son; especially to the zoo and the museum. When Taylor began school she volunteered to help in the classroom as often as the school would allow. Michele had an ultra-competitive personality, although she would not admit to it. She was always the winner of any board, card or trivia game she participated in. She loved spending time traveling, playing and going on adventures with her husband and son. In 2012 Michele was confronted with a terrible disease. From the outset, she never lost her positive outlook, she never wavered in her faith in the goodness of God and the finished work of Jesus Christ, and she never doubted that she would prevail to lead an abundant life. In the wake of the struggle Michele left a legacy of her courage, strength, unyielding faith and determination as an example for her son and husband. Michele let it be known to her son, husband, and family that she loved them more than they would ever comprehend and more than she could possibly express. Michele has found rest and peace in heaven. She is at home, surrounded by indescribable love and in the presence of God.  She would like those she left behind to know that this is not “goodbye”, but a simple “see you soon.” A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 pm January 25th, 2015 at Glory of God Lutheran Church, located at 12200 W. 38th Avenue in Wheat Ridge.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Save the Manatee Club (www.savethemanatee.org), Mount Saint Vincent Orphanage (www.msvhome.org), or African Wildlife Foundation (www.awf.org). Michele’s family welcomes anyone who wishes to share a story or memory of Michele to do so in the comment section of this webpage or at the celebration service.