Michelle Louise Cohen (Mickie), 52, joined her ancestors at her home in Omak, Wash., Nov. 12, 2012. She was surrounded by her family and friends.
     Mickie was born to William (Bill) Cohen and Leona Tonasket on March 7, 1960 in Salem, Oreg. She attended elementary school in Oregon until she was transferred to St. Mary’s Mission when she was in the seventh grade. Mickie was in the first class to graduate from Paschal Sherman Indian School. She graduated from Omak High School in 1978. Mickie received two AA degrees from Spokane Community College, one in 1980 (Auto Body Repair) and another in 1981 (Auto Parts Merchandising).
     Mickie was employed by Paschal Sherman Indian School as a classroom aide and resident program counselor. For twenty-seven years, she was P.S.I.S. bus driver for the pre-school program.
     Mickie married, had three daughters and adopted a son. She supported her children’s athletic endeavors as a fast pitch, volleyball, soccer, football, and basketball “mom.”
     Mickie loved to travel, to experience new things, to learn about and experience different cultures and life styles. She embroidered and beaded.
     Mickie was diagnosed with cancer in 2010. She was a brave and courageous warrior against the disease that took her life.
     Mickie was an enrolled member of the Colville Confederated Tribe. She was baptized into the Catholic Church (St. Mary’s Mission). She practiced traditional Indian beliefs.
     Mickie was preceded in death by her father. She is survived by her mother, Leona Tonasket Rubi; her daughters, Archelle L. Ramos, Glenda K. Ramos, and Shirlee R. Ramos; her son, Byron Sam (Heidi Sam); her sisters, Glenda Baez (Joel Baez) and Shirley Charley (Dale Charley) all of Omak; brother, Tommy Barth of Spokane; her “other mom” Cherrie Druffel of Tacoma; and sisters, Myrna Abrahamson, Punky St. Paul and Gloria Adolph of Omak, and Virginia Lezard of Coulee Dam; her nieces and nephews; great nieces and great nephew; and two grandsons. She loved her family and embraced her nieces and nephews as her own children.
     Fr. Jake Morton SJ officiated at the family and community rosaries and the funeral mass held at the Omak Longhouse, followed by her burial in the St. Mary’s Mission Cemetery on November 15, 2012.