Michelle Marie Thomas, 59, passed away on April 20, 2026, at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vt., after a one-year battle with cancer.
Michelle was born in Burlington, Vt., on October 25, 1966, to Keith and Francine (Robert) Thomas. Michelle was a graduate of Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans, class of 1984. Michelle graduated from the University of Vermont in 1989 with a BA in English. She received her master of library science from SUNY Albany in 1994. Michelle worked for several years in the records department at Banknorth, and she most recently worked, for nearly 25 years, in the medical records department at the UVM Medical Center. Michelle had been a Burlington resident for 30 years.
Michelle was a past member of the Williston Town Band trumpet section and a past volunteer with Out in the Mountains and the RU12?/Pride Center of Vermont. She enjoyed playing trumpet with LGBA massed bands and with local and regional Pride bands. She was a member of the Champlain Valley Rainbow Squares and VGSA for several years. More recently, she had taken a keen interest in playing the ukulele with a local group and attending ACF and QCF conferences around the country.
Michelle leaves her mother, Francine; brother, Peter Thomas; and her nephews, Gareth and Ewan Thomas. Michelle also leaves her aunt and uncle, Ginette and James Warner; and her cousins, Paul Betz Jr., Carolyn Guilmette (Tom), Alan Warner (Pilar), Christine Warner (Miguel) and Robert Warner (Vivian). Michelle leaves many friends, including longtime friends Karen Gagne and Steven Stowell. She was predeceased by her father, Keith Thomas; and her aunt, Priscilla (Thomas) Betz. Michelle also leaves her cat, Shelby. Michelle was predeceased by her other cats, Sinbad, Charlie and Bart.
The family would like to thank Dr. Ades and the staff in the Oncology Department at the UVM Medical Center, as well as the staff at the McClure Miller Respite House, for the care they provided to Michelle.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, 11 a.m., at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1063 Prim Rd., Colchester, VT. Inurnment will be at a future date at the convenience of the family. Please visit awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.