Support Michelle's Family in Their Time of Loss

On May 26, 2024, we unexpectedly lost our shadow, our tag-a-long, pain-in-the-butt baby sister - Michelle Kuykendall Standley at the young age of 46 yrs old. We are still lost and hurt beyond any words that we can express.

At 20 years old, Michelle was diagnosed with Arnold Chiari Malformation and over the next 26 yrs. We watched as this disease and all its accompanying complications, surgeries (more than we can remember) and constant medicine ravaged her little body. The last 5 yrs have been extremely difficult for Michelle and all of those who love her. The once vibrant, energetic non-stop kid little gymnast and dancer was reduced to little to no use of her legs, having to depend on a wheelchair to get around, until she lost the ability to use her arms dependably.

Michelle was so much to so many people. Daughter, sister, niece, aunt, cousin, granddaughter, friend, chosen sister, Cheerleader. Wing woman. Caretaker. Michelle's most important and favorite job was Mom. Michelle always wanted kids; during the time she waited for her chance to be a mom, she was crazy in love with Jesse (28 yrs) and Rilie (14 yrs). She would do anything for them.

For most of her life, Michelle was unable to live on her own, so she has always lived with our mom, Diane. Mom, Jesse, and Rilie have been the front row and daily caretakers for Michelle. There will be a HUGE change in their daily lives. While mom and Jesse are both adults, Rilie is only 14yrs, she will be starting her freshman year of high school in August, without her mom. A key person in her life.

Any donations made will be to assist with the funeral and memorial costs. Any remaining balance will be used to help Rilie get school supplies and clothes for school.

Thank you in advance for any & all assistance at this time, no matter the size of the donation all is appreciated.

Stephanie (oldest pain in the butt sister)

Natasha (middle pain in the butt sister)

Memorial for Michelle to be held on June 29, 2024, at Natasha & Pete Garcia's home located at 2220 N. Park Uvalde, TX from 2pm - 5pm.

Michelle Lee Kuykendall Standley, a woman whose laughter could light up the darkest rooms, took her final bow on May 26, 2024. Born on March 4, 1978, in the bustling city of Midland-Odessa, TX, she embarked on a life journey that was as vibrant and dynamic as the Texas sunsets of her hometown. Michelle's story came to a peaceful close, while surrounded by her loving family, in Round Rock, TX, after a valiant dance with Arnold Chiari Malformation.

Known for her courageous spirit and a passion that was as infectious as her humor, Michelle never let life's tough moments dull her comedic edge. She was the embodiment of the saying, "You can't wait for the storm to pass, you've got to learn to dance in the rain." And dance, she did—through every challenge, with a smile that was as resilient as the Texas bluebonnet.

Michelle's family was the first-row audience to her lifelong comedy show. Her son, Jesse Myers-Kuykendall, inherited her quick wit, while her daughter, Rilie Standley, got her infectious laugh. Diane Kuykendall, the matriarch who set the stage for Michelle's humor, survives her daughter with memories filled with joy and laughter. Michelle is survived by two sisters, Stephanie Kuykendall Gonzalez, and Natasha Garcia and brother-in-law Pete. She has a brood of nieces and nephews - Donny Gonzalez, Brian Gonzalez(Monica), Cheyenne Vigee (Nick), Pete Garcia (Bianca), Troy Gonzalez (MJ), Andrew Garcia, and youngest niece Alexis Gonzalez. Great nephews and nieces: Layla & Camila and Austin Garcia, Ivey Hernandez, Oaklen & Graysen Gonzalez, Hollace & Holden Vigee. We will all miss her impromptu comedy sets at family gatherings and will forever cherish the light-hearted pranks and jokes that were uniquely Michelle's.

Michelle's life was a testament to the power of laughter in the face of adversity. She often quipped that if life gave you lemons, you should not only make lemonade but also find someone whose life gave them vodka and have a party. In this spirit, Michelle would undoubtedly appreciate the words of the great comedian Bob Hope: "I grew up with six brothers. That's how I learned to dance – waiting for the bathroom."

Her legacy is not just in the laughter she left behind but in the way she inspired others to find joy in the everyday. Michelle's ability to turn the mundane into the hilarious, the sad into the silly, and the ordinary into the extraordinary was her greatest gift.

As we bid farewell to Michelle Lee Kuykendall Standley, let us not forget the melody of her laughter that still echoes in the hearts of those who loved her. She may have exited stage left, but her punchlines and zest for life will remain center stage forever in our memories.

So, let's not say goodbye; instead, let's give a standing ovation for a life well-lived and a woman who taught us that no matter what, the show must go on—with a smile on your face, a joke on your lips, and enough courage to face the final curtain call with a bow and a laugh. Michelle, your final act was your bravest, and we are all the better for having been part of your audience. Curtain down, applause up, and forever in our hearts, you will remain the star of your own extraordinary life comedy.