Michelle Prince

December 11, 1971 - November 18, 2018

It is with a deep sense of loss that we celebrate the life of Dr. Michelle Prince, who passed away Sunday November 18, 2018, on her terms and at peace. Our family, friends and community will deeply miss her radiant smile, purposeful eyes, and unstoppable spirit, but we are comforted by the many lessons she taught us over the last five years as she waged a relentless fight against cancer. From her initial diagnosis of Stage 4 colon cancer, she was determined to live her life, each moment, each day, each year to the fullest, yet fearful she would be deprived early of watching her children grow, which only motivated her more. Our children Sienna (11) and Phoenix (9) are who they are today because of her determination to fight. Her impact is real and her legacy is found in the many lives that she touched and inspired. As a Doctor of Chiropractic and a graduate of Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, where she formed long lasting and true friendships, she moved back to her hometown of Windsor to effect positive and real change in local wellness care. Dr. Michelle Prince was one of a handful of doctors in Ontario to hold certification with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. She quickly became a well-known advocate for her profession, locally and internationally, but her true passion was her patients. She was great at what she did and her remarkable abilities are reflected through the stories of the lives she changed. Her practice, Lifetime Wellness Centre, is one of the largest multidisciplinary practices in Canada, but her care and compassion was personal and individual as she always focused on her patients’ needs, no matter the time nor the circumstance. Equally important to her was her love for her team and women in chiropractic. She took the time and devoted many days and nights, so as to provide others an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to pursue their own entrepreneurial success, never asking nor wanting anything in return, but to help others. She was an invaluable contributor to her profession, whether it was travelling as part of the Doctors Without Borders missions to the Dominican Republic, or her tireless advocacy of the importance of chiropractic care in a balanced and holistic approach to healthy and better living. As Windsor’s First Lady from 2003 - 2014, Michelle participated in many fundraising and community drives, from local ribbon-cutting ceremonies to regional and international events. She was my wife and dedicated partner in both public and private times – some not always easy – and always the embodiment of grace. As a result of her mentorship, leadership and devotion to the empowerment of women, she was recognized with the prestigious Athena Award in 2013. She joined a distinguished group of recipients recognized for attaining excellence, community service and actively assisting women in their professional achievements and leadership skills. As fall approached this year, Michelle – as always – was in a reflective and positive mood. “It has been so wonderful unplugging and spending time with family and friends this summer. I am overwhelmed always with the love and support I’m shown. I remember those who have not made it this far and I try to enjoy every moment in honour of them,” Michelle wrote to the many people who followed her on social media. Michelle was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer on January 30, 2014. Months prior she trained and participated in the Detroit International Marathon and experienced an unfamiliar pain that she dismissed as a nasty runners’ stitch until the pain persisted and at the advice of Dr. Kadri and Dr. Ziter she scheduled a colonoscopy. That day changed everything. We are forever grateful to Dr. Ziter, Dr. Ravid, Dr. Misra, Dr. Tracey, and Dr. Kanjeekal for their immediate and comforting reassurances but, that day began Michelle’s new journey and new pursuit. We went home that afternoon, sat on our bed and cried out of fear of the unknown. Sienna and Phoenix were 7 and 5 respectively, and we were gripped with our realistic and understandable fear that they would never have the opportunity to know their mother. She had every right to cry, to be angry or go down and cocoon in that “rabbit hole” as she often talked about – but she chose to live and she lived, cherished and loved every moment she was given. Neither hard times nor cancer would rob her of who she was - a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, an advocate. Her new purpose was, “To keep life as normal as possible with young kids, I have to focus on every single moment – what’s the positive?” In her five-year battle, she created a legacy of memories that will serve to remind all of us of her remarkable and unrelenting spirit. She helped shape and nurture her children Sienna and Phoenix, taking comfort in knowing that they were maturing as young compassionate, strong and caring adults, who exuded her personality and independence. She was equally proud of her niece, Paige Prince Wilcox, and her continued growth and development as a beautiful young woman. After 80-plus chemo treatments, three major surgeries and the unforgivable roller-coaster of the disease, Michelle never felt sorry for herself. Michelle never looked back and questioned her realities and difficulties. She used her disease as an opportunity to help others. To inspire others. To hope with others. Building on her experience as a long time movie reviewer with AM800, she launched her own radio show, “Taking Charge of your Health” on Bell Media, to provide people and the community with a platform to share and educate each other on leading healthier lives. She was the driving force behind the record breaking $1.5 million inaugural Gala ‘Starry Night’ to raise funds for the new regional hospital. She also garnered national attention when she demystified the realities of cancer and its treatments. Michelle took the unprecedented approach to live streaming her bi-weekly chemotherapy sessions, publicly answering viewer questions while attached to an IV and receiving chemotherapy. “Canswers Centre Live!” earned the 2018 Innovation Award and recently her inspiring story was one of three-profiled in the Reader’s Digest feature, “How to Become a Courageous Person”. Michelle was most proud of being able to help others. In 2018, she was instrumental in developing the T2B Comfort Care Tote program in partnership with the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation, Transition to Betterness, the Polewski Family and the Stephanie & Barry Zekelman Foundation. She appreciated the comforts that were provided when she herself received a “care package” from a friend who was a cancer survivor. She wanted those battling in our community to be provided items she felt would provide comfort in their time of need. Michelle never complained and always looked to the future. Her love of life, family, and friends, created special and memorable stories. People would gravitate toward her warm, positive, inspiring and captivating spirit. She will be forever remembered as a selfless, passionate wife, mother, and a hero who always had a smile even though times were tough. Michelle was a warrior with the resilience and strength of many, and was powered by her army of supporters, caregivers and professionals. Our “Angels of Care” gave us five more birthdays, anniversaries, Christmases, vacations, and celebrations that statistically were not possible. We are thankful to all of those who helped her and helped us over the past five years. Dr. Paul Ziter and Laura S., Dr. Sindu Kanjeekal, Dr. Lawrence Aoun, Dr. Philip Phillip and Nanci B., Dr. Sabeena Misra, Dr. Anat Ravid and Colleen, Dr. Larry Sirls, Dr. Tom Deklaj, David Musyj and the entire team at Windsor Regional Hospital, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic, the James Cancer Hospital, and the entire team at Valero Wellness; Dr. Meighan Valero, and Dr. Sara Henderson. Michelle underwent an unheard of 80+ chemotherapy treatments every other week administered at the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre and Vitamin C treatments at Valero Wellness with additional help and guidance from her friends Jen Stancatto and Dr. Kelley Upcott. Her angels were all the nurses that became our extended family, and because of them she lived as long as she did. Our thanks to these remarkable and dedicated professionals; Maggie, Marg, Terri, Dianne, Sarah, Hannah, Chris, Heidi, Maria, Patti, Tatjana, Jen, Kellie, Monica, Diane, Lynn, Laura, Sylvia, Dianne, Cathy, Jamie, Liz, Caroline, Katherine T., Sue, Erika, Connie, Giovanna, Nancy B. and the best volunteers in the world. Special thanks and love to Tony Peters. A special note of recognition to our angels of Bayshore, Gina and Brandon, who visited us almost daily to care for our Michelle. Words cannot express the love and affection provided to Michelle by Gina, and we will eternally be grateful to her for her calm, compassionate and experienced care. Michelle is survived by loving family, her children Sienna and Phoenix; husband Eddie Francis; her parents Michael and Margaret Ann Prince, sister Beth Ann Prince and niece Paige, and of course Marshmallow. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins, William Prince and his wife Dale, Deborah Murdoch and husband Rick, Brett Prince and wife Sandra, Alfred Prince Jr., Corey, Joshua, Sarah, Jenefer, Riki, Roxanne, Michael, Jordan, Tyler, Courtney, and Sean. Dear daughter-in-law of Farid and Arlette Francis, sister-in-law of Fred Francis, Roger Francis and his wife Tiffany, and nephews Pierce and Preston. Michelle’s favourite place, which she called her “happy place”, was Walloon Lake in Northern Michigan. She went there as a child, and then as a mother. Walloon Lake was also the childhood summer home of author Ernest Hemingway whose words describe Michelle perfectly, “Courage is grace under pressure.” It was a Prince family tradition to spend time there, and her family will continue to enjoy the memories that Walloon Lake holds of the past and the promise of the future. Her life was meaningful and impactful as she lived every day to the fullest, enriching others around her. Her time was short, her impact meaningful as she changed the lives of many. She will always be in our hearts. Forever loved.