- Date Of Birth: April 29, 1969
- Date Of Death: August 11, 2021
- State: New Jersey
Michelle Caulin Madretzke. I am a mother, a sister, a daughter, a wife, a friend, a co-worker, a geologist, and completely myself. I have felt joy, love, kindness, and peace with my family and friends. Yet I have also felt the sadness of loss, the pain of cancer, and the endurance to fight. I have witnessed the magic of hot air balloons rising in the morning mist, watched the sunrise on the ocean in Belmar, and the sunset on the deck of the Saint Sacrement after my beautiful wedding. I have flung tractor-trailer tires just to flex my muscles and show the world my fierce strength, and ridden a mechanical bull with an energy for life that illustrated to myself and to others my resiliency, my endurance, and my determination to get back up after any fall. I’m a lover of the Adirondacks, from Potsdam to Glens Falls you will find my roots and a piece of my heart, forever and always.
I hope my children, Meghan and Meredith Madretzke, describe me as the keeper of the peace, the guardian of their youth, a lover of good music and good fun, and the champion of their life. They are by far the best things I have done. They are my joy, my heart, and my soul. I am always with them, as they are a part of me and I am a part of them. Their antics, (emotions?), and passions are the best nutrition for my soul. My wish for them is to embrace life, love fiercely, try new things, splurge on what matters, decorate the driveway with chalk and their lives with color, look to the sky, and know that they are forever loved.
My friends would describe me as passionate for life, embracing the flow, smiling widely, and giving openly, entirely, and without reservation. Someone who will kiss the forehead of a stranger, dance freely with friends on a dance floor or in the kitchen, and laugh exuberantly and from the belly with my tribe. I’m the wearer of overalls and sparkly sandals, with a flair for fashion and a slight weakness for stylish purses and all wearable fashion. I seek adventure, but also love being home with my loves. Seizing the day could mean a spontaneous trip away, attending a Christopher Cross concert, cooking with the girls while listening to classic rock on vinyl records, or having an all out cuddlefest with my dog and a good book.
I am a reflection of my family; my sister, my mother, and my father were the foundation that I built my life on. Your unconditional support, your shoulders to lift me, and your arms that have caught me have been seen, felt and appreciated. I am so grateful to you.
My colleagues and partners in parenting: We have shared laughs, struggles, and challenges. You have “adulted” with me and kept me young at the same time. I have felt so supported and thank you deeply for all you have offered to my family and me.
While my husband, Jeff Madretzke, my father, Ron Caulin, and my niece Lindsay have preceded me, I am blessed to have had them in my life. My sister, Jackie Clayton, and her husband Barry have been my rocks, solid and stable. My mother, Eileen Caulin, has shown me what strong looks like and always sent me off with one of her famous coffee cakes, thank you. Brandon and Jordan, my nephews, taught me about loving someone new when they led the way for our next generation. My girls are amazing individuals, who simultaneously connect me with those who have gone before, those of the present, and loved ones of the future. Their strength, abilities, and possibilities are boundless. I am so proud to share them with the world. Take care of them and show them love, happiness, adventure, guidance, and patience.
Lastly, please do me a favor and take this moment to picture a time where you and I laughed until we cried, shared a moment of joy, or sat with complete content. Do you have it? Yes, that’s the one! Remember it always, cherish it, celebrate it, know that I lived fully, and that you are forever in my heart.
“And if the wind is right, you can find the joy of innocence again” Christopher Cross, Sailing
“And I will take you forever, and there will never be anyone else but you” Christopher Cross, I Will
“I’ve got such a long way to go, So I’ll ride, ride like the wind To be free again “ Christopher Cross, Ride like the Wind
“And we’re the Fun Club, swinging all around this town, and when it comes to fun when we’re around, there is more more more!” Fun Club, Theme Song(1989)
