It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Michelle Pockey, our trusted advisor and a dear friend to many at GroYourBiz. During her courageous fight against cancer, she continued to inspire and influence the business community. She was a true hero to all of us and has left a legacy that will last forever.
I was honoured to have Michelle as a trusted advisor for GroYourBiz since the beginning in 2010. She was My ally, My mentor, My friend, and a true soulmate. She has been everything to me and the whole team at GroYourBiz. In the words of Angelika Vance, Michelle was:
“A beautiful soul. A fierce and gentle heart. A power to be reckoned with and embraced. A friend to cherish, love, and always remember.”
We send strength and love to Michelle’s family and friends, her loving husband, and dear children during this difficult time.
A message from Michelle’s husband, Mike:
It is with a deep sense of loss and sorrow that I have to inform everyone of Michelle Pockey’s passing yesterday evening, 7pm, June 17, 2016, at Lion’s Gate Hospital in North Vancouver. Michelle fought very hard throughout her journey and never once stopped believing she could beat her cancer. Her parents Maurice and Carole hardly ever left her side in the ten days she was at the hospital. Thanks go to the many well-wishers and visitors who always gave her great joy and pleasure up to the last day. Noa, Nathan and myself have found strength with each other and Michelle’s parents who have been with us since she returned from Palm Springs. We have started the healing process and having our two kids Noa and Nathan show us how to be strong and resilient in the face of such a devastating loss is testament to the strength that Michelle, as their mother, lived her life with. I am so very proud of both our kids right now and proud to have been Michelle’s husband for the past 12 years.
Everyone will have to please excuse the brevity of this message. I will be communicating upcoming plans for Michelle’s service through this blog so pleased stay connected.
Thanks to everyone.
Mike Mammone
In loving memory of Michelle Pockey, a powerful woman and shining star.
Love Always,
Barbara
Michelle’s powerful Influential Women in Business Award 2016 Acceptance Speech:
Michelle “Champion for Change”:
This is so beautifully written and it brought me to tears. She is so terribly missed and I think of her every day. I consider myself to be very lucky to have known her. Thank you Barbara for giving me the chance to meet this beautiful soul. They are memories that are forever cherished and couldn’t have happened with your generosity. I am eternally grateful. I love you Michelle and always will. Xo
Until we meet again, Michelle …
Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Nothing has happened.
Everything remains exactly as it was.
I am I, and you are you,
and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is absolute and unbroken continuity.
What is this death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just round the corner.
All is well.
Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!
By Henry Scott-Holland
Lynn. Thank you for sharing this poem. It’s lovely to read the tribute to Michelle, look at her photos, read her quote, and watch her on video. So warm and accomplished.
A perfect reply! Thanks for taking the troulbe.
I am so shocked and saddened to hear of Michelle’s passing. I along with my Co workers at the ywca cared for her and Michael’s young children in our child care center. She was always so warm and sweet. She gave us beautiful hand made jewelry for holidays and graduations. I often spoke to her when I saw her coming from the gym. Such a lovely person. I am so sorry for Michael and her children. Big hugs and lots of love, from marnie