Rev. Dr. Michele DeMarco (’07)
The following obituary was originally posted by Alameda Funeral & Cremation Services and can be found here.
Michele DeMarco peacefully passed away on Thursday at the age of 50 after a long battle with cancer.
She was born to Rosemary and Charles DeMarco in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and was a loving partner to Andrew Simboli for many years in Alameda, CA.
Michele’s Celebration of Life memorial service is scheduled for April 25th at 1 PM at Alameda Funeral and Cremation Services, 1415 Oak Street, Alameda, CA 94501.
A native Bostonian, Michele holds a Ph.D. 
in Psychology and earned master’s degrees in World Religion and Ethics, Comparative Culture and Conflict, and Psychology through a consortium involving Harvard University, Boston College, and Boston University. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in religion from Boston College and received professional certificates in Conflict Transformation and Mediation. Additionally, she studied Marriage and Family Therapy at Antioch University and completed further academic coursework in marketing and communications, business, education, criminal justice, and law. This academic experience professionally prepared her for what she had wanted to do since her childhood: “Making a positive difference in people’s lives”.
Professionally, Michele was a trained therapist, clinical ethicist, and trauma researcher, specializing in moral injury. And recently, she became the Clinical Director for Brothers Keeper Veteran Foundation. (BKVF)
Michele was an award-winning writer and was one of Medium’s Top Writers for Mental Health and Health, respectively, and the author of the Psychology Today blog “Soul Console: Healing from Moral Injury.” Her writing appeared in the New York Times, POLITICO, The Hill, The Boston Globe, and numerous other publications. Her non-fiction publications encompass “Holding Onto Air”, “The Art and Science of Building a Resilient Spirit,” and “Writing the Wrongs: A Guided Journal for Healing Moral Injury.” Her novel, About Others, won the Mystery Writers of America’s Helen McCloy Award for Mystery Writing.
“Mother’s Thoughts”
Michele was a shining light in so many lives. However, those who knew her are now dealing with a void that cannot be replaced. Michele, even as a child, was always resourceful and committed to any personal project or friendship that she was drawn to. Interestingly, a very dear friend whom Charlie met in college, and later became his Business partner for many years, just recently copied a letter that Michele had written at the tender age of eleven in 1986 to a lawyer who was representing the parents as they were applying to adopt another child. It is much too long to read here; however, it was incredibly well written, and it ended with “If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me”. Then she wrote the address and telephone number. None of us remember ever seeing this before!
She had such an incredible intellect and could simultaneously switch to a silly sense of humor in an instant.
I remember well when she called me after her first date with Drew, and I asked her what he was like. She answered simply, “He makes me giggle”.
Michele loved to talk, and I shall sorely miss the many hours a week that we spent talking about anything and everything. Nothing was off the table. She truly was the most interesting person that I have ever met. Her generosity had no bounds. So much so that she always gave her time freely to help people on a larger scale by giving lectures, Zoom meetings, and Keynote speaking at Universities and Healthcare systems.
We loved her so very much!
Dad’s Thoughts
Michele’s life was a beautiful story, and as her father, I had the privilege of being part of it. Now, I carry her story in my heart. She lived with a gentile heart and left a trail of memories too beautiful to forget.
She had two memorable quotes which I hold dear to my heart…
• “We cannot recreate our lives going backward. We can only reclaim our life moving forward.”
• “We don’t always have control over the events in our lives, but the ‘script’ we live by is ours to write – and write it we must, as only we can.”
Her passion (at least one) was how stories are told, what makes them matter, and how they affect a person or group’s lived life, and how those experiences affect the world in which we live.
As a child, she was resourceful and willing to try almost anything. Once she set her mind to do something, nothing could stop her, including building friendships, playing sports, and always trying to make lives better. We were once at a gymnastics event, and she flew over the horse, not making the vault. Given the second chance, her determination kicked in, and she vaulted and received the highest score in the vault competition that day.
Drew’s Thoughts
Michele was a gift for which I am eternally grateful, for she illuminated my life, and the lives of so many others, with her warmth and grace. She gave of herself without hesitation, lifting those around her with her endless kindness. Michele’s elegance and femininity were matched only by the strength and brilliance of her mind.
Even has she fought a relentless battle with stage 4 cancer for four years, Michele met each day with unflinching courage and determination. During that time, she completed her PhD and wrote two books, accomplishments that speak to her unstoppable spirit and formidable mind. A remarkable human being, she left a legacy of courage, love, and dignity. Michele was a light in this world, an exceedingly rare and radiant soul. Her presence changed people, and she endures in the hearts of those she touched. To know Michele was to witness the best of what humanity can be. She will be forever loved, dearly missed, and always remembered.
Rest in Peace, our Angel
At Michele’s request, Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to (BKVF): Brothers Keeper Veteran Foundation or to the Breast Cancer organization of your choice.
(BKVF) Brothers Keeper Veteran Foundation: 7380 Spout Springs Road #210, PO Box 102, Flowery Branch, GA 30542