Michelle A. Stanley, age 72, of Frankford, Delaware, formerly of North Carolina and Dover, Delaware, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, December 28, 2025, surrounded by the love of her devoted family.

Michelle was born on October 3, 1953, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the beloved daughter of the late Donald Wistrom and Margaret (Hoag) Wistrom. Throughout her life, Michelle exemplified dedication, compassion, and quiet strength. She shared her nurturing spirit as a daycare provider, brought care and organization to her work in the Kent General Hospital maternity ward, and concluded her professional career as a registrar with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Michelle found joy in life's simple pleasures. She delighted in watching the Hallmark Channel, cherished the beauty of hummingbirds, and never passed up a good shopping trip. Above all else, Michelle's greatest joy was her family—especially her grandchildren, whom she loved deeply and unconditionally. Some of her most treasured memories were made during family trips to Disney World, a place she fondly called "the happiest place on earth," where laughter, togetherness, and love filled every moment.

In addition to her parents, Michelle was preceded in death by her beloved son, Eric Stanley and brother-in-law, Michael Gartland.  She leaves behind her loving husband of 47 years, Harry W. Stanley; her stepson, Shawne Stanley and his wife, Barbara Marino, of Millville, Delaware; her daughters, Jessica Behrens and her husband, Bryan, of Selbyville, Delaware, and Jillian Whitney and her husband, Brent, of Millsboro, Delaware; and her six cherished grandchildren, Isabella Stanley, Emma Stanley, Owen Behrens, Weston Behrens, Isaac Whitney, and Bryson Whitney, who were the light of her life. She is also survived by her brother, Tom Wistrom and his wife, Cheryl, of Big Lake, Minnesota, and her sister, Laura Gartland, of Concord, North Carolina, along with many extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 35318 Church Road, Frankford, Delaware 19945. Friends and family may gather for visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro, Delaware.

Michelle's kindness, devotion to family, and gentle spirit will be remembered always and carried forward in the lives of those she loved so well.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Michelle's name to the Alzheimer's Association by visiting www.alz.org