Michele Cervantes, loving wife, mother and daughter, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. At the time of her passing, Michele was 45 years old. She lived her life to the fullest and was such a joy to all who knew her.
Born July 23, 1964, in Pomona, Calif., Michele attended elementary and middle school there until her family moved to Carson City in 1977. She graduated from Carson High School in 1982, where she ran track and was a cheerleader. Michele graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno and received her bachelor's degree and master's degree in education. In 1992, she was hired to teach 5th grade at Jessie Beck Elementary. She also taught 2nd grade, and later 4th grade at Jessie Beck. She helped open Rollan Melton Elementary in 2002, where she taught 2nd grade until 2009. Michele was a member of the Washoe Education Association. She had one class remaining in order to complete her Master's Degree in Library Science. Teaching children was a dream accomplished for Michele, and working with young students was a passion second only to her love for her family.
In 1990, she married Ken Cervantes Jr., and together they built a life with their two children, Michael, 15, and Kendal, 10. Michele was an avid golfer and a member of the Somersett Ladies Golf Association. She loved to snow ski and was a volunteer for the Washoe County Junior Ski Program. Michele enjoyed hiking, bike riding, and loved decorating and gardening. Music and dancing always brought a smile to her face. She and Kenny were always involved with their children's sports events, plays, school activities and family events.
She is preceded in death by her stepmother, Talea Morgan. Michele is survived by her husband Ken and her two children, Michael and Kendal; parents, Dave Morgan and Barbara Spain; stepfather, Jim Spain; sisters Shaunna Troop and Jennifer Jobson; brothers David Morgan, Brian Spain and Quinn Cypher and the Cervantes family - Ken and Marilyn Cervantes, Randy and Elaine Jacoby, Frank and Theresa Cervantes, Joe and Lani Cervantes, John and Nancy Cesarini.
Services will be at 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 9, 2010, at the South Reno Baptist Church (6780 S. McCarren Blvd), followed by a Celebration of Life at approximately 6 p.m. at the Club at the Town Center Somersett located at 7650 Town Square Way in Somersett, Reno (turn left at the 2nd roundabout).
Michele had a true love for education and a special passion for libraries. To honor Michele, the family respectfully requests, in lieu of sending flowers, donations be sent to the Michele Cervantes Library Memorial to benefit the Rollan Melton Elementary library. Contributions may be sent in care of either Rollan Melton Elementary School at 6575 Archimedes, Reno, NV 89523-6211 or to Billinghurst Middle School at 6685 Chesterfield Lane, Reno, NV 90523-2071.