Obituary of Michelle A. Gil

Michelle Ann Gil, at the young age of 35, passed away peacefully after battling with stage 4 breast cancer for almost 1 1/2 yrs.  Michelle passed on Monday, July 2, 2018 and was reunited with her beloved Grandparents, Jim and Ann Strom.  From her birth in  Olongapo City in the Philippines, June 13,1983 to her passing, Michelle made a lasting impact to all those around her.  To know Michelle was to love her.  It meant knowing what love, compassion, and thoughtfulness her heart was made of.  She was born the only child to David Strom, while the youngest of three girls to Lilian Strom. Michelle soon relocated to San Jose California in 1985.  With multiple moves between the Concord area and back, she finally settled in San Jose with her grandparents, Jim and Ann Strom , January  1996. Michelle graduated Class of 2001 from Santa Teresa High School in San Jose. That June of 2001 she began a summer romance with Juan(Johnny) Gil.  A romance that gave Michelle a love of the beach that lasted all her life. They welcomed their only child, Elise Gil, December 19, 2005 in San Jose California.  They married June 20, 2008 in a small ceremony San Jose,  as well.  Michelle had a genuine love for helping others, especially those who had a hard time taking care of themselves. That desire to help, led her to work with the mentally disabled  and mental health Communities. It was at Momentum for Mental Health, where she got her start with the mental health population as an administrative assistant. As the company’s point of contact with clients she developed a bigger desire to help them. She then landed at Aim Higher as the directors assistant. Here she worked with adults with mental disabilities. She feel in love with the spirit and positivity of the clients, and they fell in love with hers.  She kept things running smoothly,  and was the heart of the office. Always making sure everyone was taken care of. 

Michelle was a very creative, caring , and funny soul.  She made friends wherever she went. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and family.  She would love going to concerts, dinners, movies, comedy clubs,  and of course the beach.  One of the things she seemed to  enjoy,  where the long drives up highway 17. It was just a perfect start to a perfect day spent at the ocean.  She loved the beach, and spent a lot of time relaxing  to the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore.   As a family there was nothing she loved more than being out enjoying the beauty nature provided. Hikes, walks, bike rides, picnics, anything as long as it ended with a beautiful sunset. Michelle made an impact on everyone she met. She had a beautiful, kind, caring,  soul. With a thoughtful, giving, and patient heart.  Left to honor and remember Michelle, is her loving husband of 17 years, Juan Gil, and their precious daughter Elise Gil. Father, David Strom. Mother, Lilian Strom Gonzalez. Her sister’s Grace and Jane Estacio,and her Soul Sister, Catherine Orlans, The Gil and The Richardson families.  Lastly, she is honored by all who knew her kind, loving heart, and fell for her smile. Her smile, last thing we will see as she flies towards the sun, setting into the sky.

“And when all the wars are over, a butterfly will still be beautiful.”

Ruskin Bond