Michele Brearley

Michele R. Brearley, 66, of Ellensburg, passed away at her home on Monday, August 27, 2018. Private family services were held last week.

Born in Toppenish, Washington on July 26, 1952, Michele was the daughter of two wonderful educators, a younger sister and an all-around tremendous person. Graduating from Toppenish High School with the class of 1970, Michele went on to marry her best friend, Gary Kraft, with whom she had two outstanding sons, Michael and Eric Kraft. As time went by, the two separated and Michele married again soon after, having two more children, Justin and Jessica Michael. For a long time, she was a full-time mother while working full time jobs to get by, but her true passion was seeing and cheering on her kids.

Anyone who had a conversation with her would get a sense of how proud she was of her four children and she shared their accomplishments and her concerns that only a mother would have. However, nothing was trumped by the joy and love she had for her seven grandchildren whose pictures covered her walls. This last week, one might ask themselves "what do you remember most about a loved one?" or "what was your favorite thing about this person"? Without hesitation, many would say Michele held no judgement towards anyone. She always had a listening ear and would genuinely care for anyone around her. She was always there and would do anything that she could for just about anyone. To her four kids, seven grandchildren, sister Jackie, and mother Terry, as well as those that knew her around town or worked with her these many years, she is no longer in any pain and she is sitting with her dad, watching over all of us and smiling.

Memorial contributions in Michele's honor are suggested to the Ellensburg School District Education Foundation, PO Box 464, Ellensburg, Wash. 98926. Steward & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg has been entrusted with caring for Michele's family. Online condolences may be left at www.steward-williams.com