Michele Marie (Rozinski) Parker, 68, died peacefully in Danbury on Wednesday, February 14.

She was born to Francis Xavier (FX) and Leona Ann Rozinski on September 27, 1955, in Cherry Point, N.C. Michele graduated from Central Bucks East High School in Doylestown, Penn., and later graduated from Colorado State University where she studied Food Science & Nutrition. She started her career in corporate aviation, taking to the skies and touring the world as the flight attendant and in-flight chef for The Seagram Company out of Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y.

After retiring from her first career, Michele landed in Newtown and turned her natural talent for nurturing curiosity into her second career as an elementary school teacher. She earned her Master’s degree from Western Connecticut State University. At her passing she was teaching at South Street Elementary School in Danbury. Prior to that she taught at Middle Gate Elementary School in Newtown, and at Broadview Middle School in Danbury. Mrs Parker, as she’d come to be known, embraced education as her next adventure and shared her fearless leadership with her always-growing family of students and colleagues.

She’ll be missed, but her spirit lives on.

Michele is survived by her loving husband Dana Parker; her son Christopher Parker; her siblings Cynthia Rozinski-Stine, Stephen J. Rozinski, Lisa R. Lavina, Mary R. O’Neil, and Joan R. Shelton; and her nieces and nephews Conor O’Neil, Kelly O’Neil Wilson, Claire Lavina, Peter Lavina, and Emily Shelton.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Michele’s name to the Humane Society.