Remembering Michelle Marie Phillips
23rd January 1978 – 9th April 2004, age 26 years…
At RoadPeace, we know there is no time limit on grief – we miss our loved ones forever. This is why remembrance is such a crucial part of the support we offer. In the below piece, our long-standing befriender and South West Group member, Sandie Phillips, remembers her daughter, Michelle. This April will mark 21 years since Michelle’s life was taken in a road traffic collision.
Michelle was and always will be such a lovely daughter and sister. She loved life and all sport and was in the local netball team. Michelle always kept busy, and even in her quiet times (not that she had many), loved doing her bobbin lace.
Michelle was born at exactly midnight on 23rd January 1978 – we were asked when did we want her birth date as 23rd or 24th. Michelle’s dad (my husband, John) said he would like 23rd as he couldn’t wait to celebrate it with her…Michelle was almost always smiling, we have a lot of photos of her smiling, and only one or two where she isn’t.
At that time, the only sport Michelle couldn’t manage was surfing. Her partner, Steve, and another couple of friends took her away to Devon for Easter weekend; they could all surf and said they would teach Michelle. At 3pm on Good Friday she rode her first wave…They all then got into their two cars and went off to Dunkeswell where Steve did a sky dive (something else Michelle said she would like to do).
An hour later, at 4pm, Steve was driving Michelle’s car (safely – he was not speeding or doing anything he shouldn’t). Michelle was asleep as she had, had a lovely, exciting day – we are sure, with the man she loved. They had only been together a couple of years but they really were soulmates. Although Michelle had travelled a lot with Steve, Devon was a place she really loved…but two cars were being driven towards them on the North Devon Link Road. Michelle was then killed in a road traffic collision.
Michelle was always so friendly, she loved to and would help anyone that needed it, if she could.
John and I miss her so very, very much; as do her twin brothers and all her many friends who she got on so well with. Though her brothers are 9 years older than her, they all always got on so well.
We feel we were so lucky to be introduced to RoadPeace, they helped us a lot, especially in those early years after it happened. Both John and I decided to become members, and I was able to become a befriender a couple of years ago. At the moment, I am having a break from this role whilst John has cancer treatment. However, I do hope to get back to befriending as I feel it is so good to try to help others, as RoadPeace have helped me.
I try and help at the ceremonies to mark World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, and last year even managed to read a piece in the hall at the South West Service. John also read a piece outside in the park where we have the RoadPeace Memorial Stone in Bath City Centre.
We are certain part of how we have got through these almost 21 years without Michelle, is with the help of RoadPeace, and the wonderful support they have given us.
Updated on: 11 March 2025