On Thursday, August 15 at 11:25pm, our mom, Michaelann Bewsee, passed away after more than a year of battling cancer.  She left the world peacefully while holding the hands of her two daughters, Jessica and Emily.  Mom was a beloved social activist and organizer and co-founder of the Springfield-based organization Arise for Social Justice. Her daughters and granddaughter also remember her as a spitfire conversationalist, a gardener, a nature lover, an animal lover, a poet, and spiritualist.

Mom’s social activism was especially influenced by the teachings of Jesus. Like Jesus himself, she committed herself to a life of humility and poverty in service of social justice. Mom lived her life the way she believed she should: in poverty, and in service of the poor and underrepresented. Throughout her life, she had no desire to earn financial savings or riches for herself. In fact, she frequently gave more than she actually had! Because of that, our family has hardly anything to set aside for her funerary costs. We humbly ask for support in raising money for her funerary costs and burial. We will also be setting aside money for care of her two beloved cats.

At her retirement party in November of 2018, Mom told friends and family, “I really have lived a wonderful life.” Please help us commemorate the life that she led, and the wonderful gifts and lessons she has passed on to all of who remain on this Earth.