April 6, 1968 – April 16, 2021

Michele Arnesen (Perry) passed away

peacefully, surrounded by family, in her

Vancouver home on April 16, 2021, following

a year long struggle with lung

cancer. She is survived by her husband

John, sons Ty and Marc Lacroix, parents

Frank and Sally Perry of Osoyoos,

brother Greg and relatives across BC.

Born on April 6, 1968, Michele was

raised in Osoyoos, BC and graduated

from high school there in 1986. Following

training as a psychiatric and registered

nurse, she worked primarily in the

emergency department at Surrey Memorial

Hospital until 2001. With a passion

for medical research, she worked in

Cardiology Clinical Trials at SMH between

1998 and 2006, the last seven years as Manager.

Between 2006 and 2017, Michele worked for Vancouver Coastal Health, lastly

as the Director of Planning and Strategic Development of the Regional Cardiac

Program. She secured her Bachelor of Nursing degree (UVic) and her

Master of Health Administration from UBC in 2012 and was working toward

a doctorate degree in Health Informatics at the time of her passing. From 2006

onward, she continued in cardiac research with a team of UBC professors and

cardiologists, resulting in several published articles.

2017 saw Michele at the BC College of Nurses and Midwives as a Regulatory

Practice Consultant. From 2018, she was the Manager of Clinical Operations

of intensive care, telemetry and cardiac care at Burnaby Hospital. In May 2020,

Michele became an Adjunct Professor of the School of Population and Public

Health at UBC.

Michele’s remarkable career in healthcare was born out of deep care and concern

for the people around her. She delivered this compassion and interest

tenfold in her personal life to family, friends and community. She sought out

the best in people which brought out the best in her: good humour, smiling

eyes and a calm, graceful consideration. A strong and vibrant woman, Michele

infused possibility and positive energy into every occasion.

Michele was a remarkable mother – intensely proud of Ty and Marc – always

ready to assist, but not hover. Their lighthouse – guiding, encouraging, enthusiastic

and instilling in them her zest for life, adventure and endless potential.

She is John’s kindred-spirit; gently and generously sharing love and friendship

that can only persist and prosper.

Michele was very proud to hail from Osoyoos. She and family returned to Osoyoos

frequently each year. Her favorite pastime was to simply float in the family

pool to be followed by a glass of wine, good food and cheer.

Due to current restrictions, a celebration of life will be announced in the future.

Michele asked anyone so to inclined consider donating to the Osoyoos

Museum Society: www.CanadaHelps.org. Condolences and tributes may be

left at: www.myalternatives.ca