Michele Brown Riding

October 5, 1952 – June 22, 2021

Michele Brown Riding passed away on June 22, 2021, at her Salt Lake City home.

She was born October 5, 1952 in Fairbanks, AK to Dale. W and Mildred W. Everill, and was raised in Salt Lake City, UT. Michele attended St. Mary’s and Judge Memorial Catholic High Schools where she formed lifelong friendships as one of the “Jolly Girls.” She continued her education at the University of Utah on a ballet scholarship and graduated with a B.S. in Psychology.

In 1971, she married Bill B. Brown (divorced) and raised her children, Amanda and Justin, to school age before returning to the workforce.  She worked as a meeting planner, serving as president of Meeting Planners International Rocky Mountain chapter while working at the University of Utah followed by the Hurst Group. She was recruited as the manager of Doping Control for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and Paralympics, which given the prevalence of doubtful practices, she managed adroitly.

Following the games, she moved with her two cats to Nova Scotia where she married Dr. Michael Riding whom she had met in preparation for the games. They held two ceremonies, both in the rain.

After Michael’s retirement, the couple moved to a small farm in the Applegate Valley where she enjoyed caring for goats and llamas. Michele was very active in Jacksonville as the volunteer director of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Jacksonville Firewise program. She was recognized with an honorable mention in the 2016 FEMA Community Preparedness Awards and was named as Volunteer of the Year by the Jacksonville Fire Department. Michele was instrumental in overseeing the development and implementation of the city’s Firewise program and is credited with making it happen.  Michele and Michael recently moved back to Salt Lake City from Jacksonville where she fought her illness with courage, insight and spirit.

The family would like to thank the staff at Huntsman Cancer Institute, particularly Dr. Mark Dodson, Dr. Theresa Werner and Esther Kannapel, APRN.

Michele is survived by her husband Michael D. Riding, children Amanda L. Marino (Dave) and Justin P. Brown (Carolyn), sister Marcie Newson (Jim), grandchildren Mila and Maximus Marino.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Huntsman Cancer Institute or Red Butte Gardens.

A celebration of her life will be on Thursday, July 1, 2021 from 6-8pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Please share your memories and photos with her family at www.starksfuneral.com.