Michele Edrianne Philburn-McCardie, compassionately known as “Mickie” to her family and friends, left this phase of her life on her terms at the age of 89, on August 20, 2021 in her home in Hoopa with her loved ones by her side. Michele was born on May 25, 1932 in Jackson Heights, New York City, to Erma & Michael Aloysius Philburn.

Michele graduated from Bayside High School in New York 1949 and then graduated from Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts, June 1953. Michele started her professional career as a Kindergarten Teacher and then as a Social Worker in Boston Mass and Buffalo New York, as she worked diligently while putting her 1st husband James Collins through Medical School. Together they moved with their daughter Jennifer to Tacoma, Washington and then to Hoopa, California where Dr. Collins was a resident physician. She had her daughter Melissa in Eureka. Michele then met LeRoy McCardie and had son James McCardie. Michele and LeRoy married and then had Leanne McCardie Estrada. Michele worked for the Division of Highways, Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District as a teacher, Senior Resource Center and her favorite career as a Librarian at the Humboldt County Library.

After Michele’s retirement from the Humboldt County Kim Yerton Memorial Library she decided to travel the country visiting her family and friends of many years! She would travel by train, plane, bus and her own car from Hoopa to New York to Kentucky, to Arizona, New Mexico and throughout California, most of the time with her pitbull Peggy-Sue, her traveling companion by her side. Michele enjoyed everyone and everywhere she went! She most often traveled to Los Angeles to be with her grandchildren and participate in every possible milestone she could. When the Estrada family returned to Hoopa, Michele continued to travel but always taking breaks with her grandchildren. After LeRoy passed in 2011 Michele traveled less but continued to be steadfast and constant in her grandchildren’s lives supporting them in their extracurricular activities such as sports, dance and clubs. She loved them with all and everything she had! Michele shared that the tragic deaths of her son Jamie and grandson Richard were the two most painful and difficult losses she experienced in her lifetime.

Michele was a Deacon of the Hoopa Presbyterian Church where she volunteered her knowledge and service over 35 years She started and operated the first Free Food Bank in Hoopa, in partnership with the Food For People Food Bank of Humboldt. She was the oldest member of the Hoopa Landmark Missionary Baptist Church.

Michele is survived by her Children: Leanne (Carlos) Estrada, Norma (Ken) McAdams of Hoopa, Jennifer Collins of Cattletsburg, Kentucky, Melissa Brinkerhoff of Arlington, Virginia. Wilifred (Tony) Alire of Reedley, Calif. Her Grandchildren: Virgil, Aaron, & Nathan (Leilani) Pole, Carlos Jr. (Crystal) Estrada, of Hoopa, Carleana Estrada of Eureka, Celina (Jesse) Lopez of Los Angeles, CA, & Andrew (Jenna) Alire of Fresno CA. Great-grandchildren: Stephanie, Carmen, Arianna, Sequoia, Natia, Lelencia, Julianna, Syliss, Virgil, Aaron, Johnny, Margaret, Cleo, King, Kik-ya, & K’ehniwh. Great-great grandchildren: Avianna, Alani, Alexander & Adrian. Her special Nieces and Nephew, Debbie (Gil) Martinez of Arizona, Jackie Philburn & Michael Philburn of New York, Christine (Ron) Trapane of Florida and many others.

Michele is predeceased by, her son, James Manning John McCardie, Grandson, Richard Fredrick Tis-mil Estrada, her husband LeRoy, her brother Michael (Jeanette)Philburn of Arizona, Parents, Erma & Michael Aloysius Philburn, Grandparents, Edward and Todia Echt of Seattle, Washington, & Michael and Margaret Philburn of New Jersey and many others.

Pallbearers: Virgil Pole ll, Aaron James Pole, Nathan Pole, Carlos Estrada Jr., Natia Pole, Syliss Pole, Virgil Pole lll, Aaron Ryan Pole, King Estrada

Honorary Pallbearers: Carlos Estrada Sr., Alex Pratt Jr., Arthur Jones Sr., Ken McAdams, Porty Blake, Virgil Blake, Loggie Jackson, Ryan Jackson, Virgil Pole Sr., David Tripp, Lance Lammon

A viewing for Michele will be at Paul’s Chapel in Arcata, August 26, 2021 between 3 and 6 p.m. at 1070 H Street, Arcata.

A graveside ceremony will be held on Friday, August 27, 2021 at the Jackson Family Cemetery at 5 p.m.

A meal will be shared at Pookies Park in Hoopa following the burial from 7 to 8:30 p.m. For any questions, call 530-598-9846.

The family requests that you practice physical/social distancing with your pods and family, and wear a mask during the services or when you are close to or near elders and children. If you have been exposed to anyone with COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19 please send your condolences. Sanitation stations will be available at all locations!

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