Michelle Margaret Kaye wanted so much to fight through large B-cell lymphoma. She retired from the Burbank School District in June of 2017, imagining she would have more time to spend with her three boys. She wanted to plant more roses in her garden and she planned to volunteer extensively in her retirement as a trauma counselor and with teen suicide prevention programs.
Michelle, the daughter of Margaret and Arthur Kaye of La Cañada Flintridge, was born in the Glendale Adventist Medical Center in 1956. She attended Palm Crest Elementary, Foothill Intermediate School and La Cañada High School, graduating in 1974. Michelle swam competitively throughout her youth and for USC. She graduated from USC with a master’s in education in 1979.
Working with children and teens has always been Michelle’s passion. She began teaching in Rosemead and San Gabriel school districts in 1980. She taught at the elementary and middle school levels before earning her second master’s degree and becoming a counselor at Burbank High School.
Michelle is survived by her three sons: Brian Sparks, Greg Sparks and David Sparks; and her three siblings: Suzanne Tauer, Jeanette Haghayeghi and Scott Kaye.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Michelle’s name to the Family Service Agency of Burbank to support their teen suicide prevention program at tinyurl.com/MimiKaye.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. on Sept. 30 at 519 Meadow Grove Street in La Cañada Flintridge. Please wear bright colors.
