Corinna, Maine - Michelle (Murray) Paradis, 42, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family, after a fierce and courageous two-year battle with cancer on July 9, 2026. She was born November 15, 1984 at Mayo Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, the daughter of James (Butch) Murray and Terrie (Emerson) Murray, both of Corinna.

She is survived by her parents Butch and Terrie Murray, her sister Shana (Murray) Anderson and husband, Alton and their two children, niece Lauryn Anderson and fiancé, Seth Woodard, and nephew Aidan and his girlfriend Maddy Nickerson. Her maternal grandmother, Charlene (Buck) Emerson, great aunt, Diane Nye, Aunt Julie (Kevin) Bennett, Aunt Carleen (Dan) Davis. Aunt Nancy Stillings and Uncles: Allen Emerson and partner April Crockett, Mike Murray, Joseph Murray, Jon (Shannon) Murray, Jim (Sue) Emerson, and many cousins and extended family members, including her second set of “parents” Kevin and Barb Eaton. However, the two most important people in Michelle’s life were her two children, Jake, age 15, and Kaylee, age 14. They were the center of her world and her greatest joy. The love she had for her children was evident in everything she did. She treasured every moment with them and worked tirelessly to give them love, guidance and beautiful memories that they will carry with them always. She passed on her passion for sports and was their greatest fan in all that they did, showing up to cheer them on rather in person or via online when she was too ill to attend.

She was predeceased by her maternal grandfather, Kenneth (the Ol’ Buzzard) Emerson, her paternal grandmother Louise (Mamie) White, her uncle, Scott Murray, and cousins, Brady Murray and Sherry Stillings. Michelle graduated from Nokomis Regional High in Newport, Maine class of 2003 and went on to Husson University, in Bangor, Maine, class of 2008 earning her BSN degree. Her nursing career began in Riverview Psychiatric Center in Augusta, Maine and Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center in Bangor, Maine where she started out as a floor nurse and then was promoted to supervisor at both centers. She then became the school Nurse at Nokomis Regional Middle School. Eventually, she continued her nursing career at the Bangor VA Clinic in Bangor, Maine. Michelle will be remembered for her passion for sports and the dedication, determination, and team spirit she brought to everything she did throughout her life. She loved and played soccer, and she played softball as an amazing pitcher. 

But her greatest love of all three sports, was basketball. She started her basketball career in grade school on the Corinna PAL League. At age nine she entered The Elk’s National Free Throw Competition and won starting in Maine, and then went on to win in Massachusetts that earned her entrance to the 1994 National Finals held at Indianapolis, Indiana where she placed fifth in the nation! After that she began her career playing AAU Basketball under two very special coaches: Margaret Veazie and Mike Kurt. During that time, she continued playing school basketball at Corinna Junior High School in Corinna, Maine, preparing her for the Nokomis Warrior Girl’s Basketball team as a starting guard playing for her “beloved” coach, Earl Anderson. Her Sophomore year the team played a perfect, undefeated season and won the 2001 MPA Class A State Championship. Her athletic achievements reflected her competitive spirit, hard work, and the love of the game.

When Michelle wasn’t playing basketball or participating in one of the many sports she loved, she could be found outdoors, camping during the summer months with friends and family, especially with her sister, Shana and her favorite brother-in-law, “Smelly”, and during the winter months she could be found snowmobiling, especially up north, or every once in a while, on the ice to do a little ice fishing. But in the fall she could be found enjoying another passion — hunting. She and her father shared a special bond that began when he taught her at a very young age the skills, responsibility, and respect that came with handling a firearm and hunting deer. Those moments spent in the woods created cherished memories and a very special connection that only a Daddy and his little girl share. Eventually, she would share her passion for hunting with Jake and Kaylee making such precious memories.

It goes without saying that her parents were her biggest fans and her strongest supporters throughout her life. But her mother, Terrie, was her true North—her greatest cheerleader, her safe place, and the person she knew she could count on for anything, at any time. During some of Michelle’s most difficult moments, it was her mother’s strength, love, and presence that helped carry her through.

Michelle will be remembered for her loving heart, her warm, infectious smile, her contagious laugh, her strength, her kindness, and the way she touched the lives of those around her. Even through the challenges of her illness, she continued to show the same love and compassion that defined who she was. She leaves behind her children, her family, and many friends. Some of her life long friends were Danielle (Beemer) Goulette, Sara Rivera, Danielle Clark and Lindsay Welch who will miss her deeply and cherish the memories they shared with her for her life was far too short. A very special “thank you” to Lisa, Morgan, Liz, and Melissa for all your care and support, it meant the world to Michelle and her family.

The love she gave and the impact she made will continue through the lives of those who knew and loved her. May her memory be a blessing, and may those who mourn her find comfort in the love she shared and the legacy she leaves behind.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, July 16th, from 4 pm - 7 pm at Crosby and Neal Funeral Home in Newport, Maine. The celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 18th, from 1 pm - 4 pm. at the Corinna Fire Department located at 14 Main Street, Corinna, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, all donations can be made to: Nokomis Sport’s Boosters, 291 Williams Road, Newport, Maine 04953