A Tribute to Michelle Bauer: Courage, Grit, and Love

With profound sadness, we share our grief in the passing of Michelle Bauer—a compassionate soul whose absence reverberates through her family, Thrivable , the diabetes community, and far beyond. Though this loss touches so many communities, I write this tribute on behalf of Thrivable, where Michelle's presence lit up our lives for six remarkable years.?

My colleague Ryan Fuchs captured her essence beautifully: “Michelle was courageous. She faced her pain and continued on, inspiring everyone with her resilience. She was determined, brave, and yet tender, with an unmatched ability to make others feel truly seen.”

In the face of unimaginable tragedy—the loss of her beloved son Jesse to type 1 diabetes at age 13—Michelle chose a path that would define her legacy. Rather than letting grief consume her, she transformed it into a mission of healing and hope. Her book, ”Jesse Was Here”, became more than a memoir. It emerged as a lifeline for countless families navigating the turbulent waters of loss. Through her work with Beyond Type 1, she created a sanctuary where grieving families could find understanding and support.

At a conference, Michelle shared words with our teammate Maria who was grieving from her own loss of a baby during pregnancy: "We move forward with those who have passed; we don't move forward without them." This wisdom, offered with characteristic grace, gave Maria permission to embrace both her grief and her healing.

Michelle defied easy categorization. She was an Ironman triathlete pushing the boundaries of possible, a documentarian giving voice to untold stories, and a cornerstone of our Thrivable family. Yet her most profound gift was her ability to transform every role into an opportunity for genuine connection.

Our paths first crossed in 2009 through email exchanges about promoting a diabetes documentary. Five years later, we reconnected at a Diabetes Hands Foundation gathering. But it was a fateful call in 2017 from Tom Karlya—"Diabetes Dad"—that brought Michelle fully into our world: "I have the perfect person for your team. She's smart, everyone loves her, and she's a great human being."

From our first meeting, Tom's words rang true. Michelle's journey, marked by both devastating loss and remarkable resilience, touched everyone in her orbit. Her candid storytelling about Jesse and her path forward revealed not just her pain, but her fierce determination to support others facing similar challenges.

She joined our team with characteristic enthusiasm, later joking about my commitment to work-life balance—her first "week" stretched to nine days and began with a marathon of meetings at the 2018 American Diabetes Association conference. Yet she always appreciated our core values of putting people first and cultivating joy.

Over six remarkable years, I witnessed how Michelle's authenticity illuminated everything she touched. In our one-on-ones, she spoke with rare candor and empathy, offering perspective while assuming the best in everyone. When I was miscalibrated, she always pointed out my mistakes open-heartedly, assumed my good intentions, and provided many opportunities for me to grow as a leader and create a better Thrivable.?

Michelle possessed an extraordinary gift for transforming professional relationships into meaningful connections. Savannah remembers how Michelle's welcoming presence instantly made her feel at home during her first conference. Even Brian, who met Michelle just once, recalls how their dinner evolved from a potentially intimidating encounter into a conversation that felt like reuniting with an old friend.

Her practical compassion showed in unexpected ways. When she discovered David Farr hadn't yet established a credit history, she guided him toward getting his first credit card—a small act of mentorship that reflected her holistic care for others' wellbeing.

Michelle brought vitality to our gatherings and became the heart of so many experiences. She demonstrated that meaningful work could also bring joy, while never losing sight of those around her. As Debbie noted, Michelle's kind words to others and dedication to Thrivable's success were constants.

She once shared that while grief never becomes easier, it can transform into something that allows joy to reenter life. Today, her legacy endures not just in the programs she built or the lives she touched, but in her approach to life's greatest challenges: facing them with grace, purpose, and an open heart. The Jesse Was Here program continues as a beacon of hope, while her pioneering work in patient advocacy has redefined compassionate support in the diabetes community.

To honor Michelle is to embrace the values she embodied every day: that every person deserves to be truly seen, that community can heal the deepest wounds, and that love has the power to transform tragedy into purpose. As we bid farewell to our colleague, mentor, and cherished friend, we commit to nurturing the seeds of hope and connection she so lovingly planted.

Rest in peace, Michelle. Your light continues to shine in the countless lives you've touched and in the hearts of all who were blessed to know you.

Make a contribution in memory of Michelle and Jeff:

• Beyond Type 1
• Jeff & Michelle Bauer Memorial Snowmobile Trail Fund