Celebrating the Life of Michelle Calanog Paul

Earlier this year in late May 2019, our beloved Michelle Calanog Paul and her loving husband, David Paul, were enjoying a dream holiday in Fiji.  Both Michelle and David became ill on their trip, and passed away within hours of showing symptoms.  Their bodies were quarantined in Fiji due to the unknown causes of their deaths, and their remains were finally released to their families in the United States in July 2019.  Even after extensive investigations by both the Fiji and US governments, the WHO, the CDC, the FBI, and military forensic experts, the root cause of their deaths remains a mystery to this day.  Michelle and David left behind their 3-year-old son, Ayden, along with three children from David's previous relationships.  Their son, Ayden, is now in the loving care of his grandparents. 

A bright shining star to all who knew her, Michelle's radiant smile touched the hearts of everyone.  Michelle was a loving and dedicated daughter, sister, wife, and mother.  Born to Filipino immigrants as the youngest of three children, Michelle grew up a citizen of the world with her two older brothers.  As a child, she moved frequently with her family, living in China, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, and various other parts of the world.  Her family eventually settled in the United States, and continued to move around the country into her teenage years.  Michelle excelled in her favorite hobby, swimming.  She even swam competitively at an NCAA Division I university in the United States at the College of William and Mary located in Virginia.  Throughout her many years swimming as a child through adulthood, she made lifelong friends all over the world.   

As an adult, Michelle translated her passion for travel into a career, working in the tourism industry for various hotel chains, including booking.com.  Her adventurous soul led her to spend time in Tanzania volunteering with a not-for-profit organization called Cross-Cultural Solutions to help better the lives of underprivileged children and serve the local communities.  She continued to move around the United States throughout the mainland, taking her from various states in the East Coast to various states in the West Coast.  She eventually landed in Hawaii, where she lived for 8 years, completed her graduate school studies, and advanced her career in the tourism industry.  In the beautiful Aloha State, Michelle met her David, fell in love, and was married.  Their precious son, Ayden, was also born in Hawaii.  Most recently, Michelle's and David's careers took them to Texas, where they had hoped to begin a new chapter of their lives, before embarking on their trip to Fiji.

Michelle was a truly remarkable person.  Her defining characteristics were her beautiful smile and charming laugh.  We remember her giggly personality, her willingness and enthusiasm to help anyone in need, and her kindness and compassion that shone through everything she did on a daily basis.  Her memories live on through those of us that knew her best, and we continue to "spread the happy" as she taught us throughout her short, but well-lived life.

We are asking for your help in celebrating Michelle's life.  Donations will be used to plant a tree and erect a bench in Michelle’s memory on her beloved college campus of William and Mary in Virginia.  Additionally, all remaining proceeds will go towards a gift for her son, support for the William and Mary Swim and Dive Team, and a donation to Cross-Cultural Solutions (non-profit volunteer organization that supports child education, public health, and refugees abroad that Michelle worked with in 2010).  Your support and generosity mean the world to us.

Thank you for keeping Michelle and her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.