Obituary of Michele Lynn Parkins
It is with broken hearts and immense sorrow that we share the passing of Michele Lynn Parkins, who left us suddenly and tragically on July 17, 2025, at the age of 46. Michele was a devoted wife, nurturing mother, cherished daughter, loyal sister, inspiring teacher, compassionate therapist, and dear friend to so many. Her life was one of purpose, connection, and unmatched generosity and her absence is deeply felt in every heart she touched.
From her earliest days in Mt. Arlington, Michele carried within her a spark of brilliance and boundless compassion. She was driven, warm, and deeply intuitive; the kind of person who could make you feel seen with a single glance and understood with a few words, kind eyes and a big smile.
Michele’s education journey began at Mariner High School in Cape Coral, Florida, before she returned to New Jersey with a Bachelor’s degree in Interpersonal Communication from the University of South Florida in 2001. Her heart always knew she was meant to help others in a profound way and that calling became crystal clear when she discovered her passion for pediatric occupational therapy. She earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Seton Hall University in 2009, and in 2023 she earned her Certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, all while working, growing, and building her family with her soulmate and husband, Kim Parkins.
Michele met Kim in 2001 while working at EBI in Parsippany, and what began as friendship quickly became a once-in-a-lifetime love story. Their relationship was built on respect, encouragement, laughter, and unwavering support. Kim was her partner in every sense: her anchor, her equal, her greatest cheerleader. They married in 2007 and started their life together in Indian Lake, Denville, where they created a home filled with joy, purpose, and love.
In 2010, they welcomed their first child, Tyler Mackenzie, and in 2012, their family grew with the arrival of Fletcher Ryan. Michele's children were the center of her universe. Vacations to Florida, a waterski school in the Carolinas, California to visit cousins, and snorkeling spots shaped some of their greatest experiences as a family. Michele learned how to waterski and snow ski with the kids, to make sure she kept up with them. She mothered with patience, intention, wisdom, and a heart that had no limits. She wasn’t just their mom – she was their champion, teacher, role model, and very best friend. The bond she built with Tyler and Fletcher was as deep as it was effortless, and her legacy will live on through them, in the way they love, lead, and live. To meet her children, you’ll meet the best parts of Michele.
Professionally, Michele was a true visionary. She started her career at Celebrate the Children in Denville, where her passion for helping children and their families came alive. Learning from that experience, she immersed herself into new therapeutic approaches like sensory integration theory, eventually doing a 4 month fellowship in Denver studying under sensory expert and mentor, Lucy Miller. Never resting, she flew home on weekends to be with her family. Michele was constantly pushing herself to learn, innovate, and share while balancing the needs of her family.
In 2016, Michele took the bold step of opening her own occupational therapy practice, Great Kids Place. What began with one other therapist and a few therapy rooms soon became a thriving hub of play, care, and constant innovation. By 2020, with the advent of kids struggling with limited opportunities for play, Michele worked tirelessly to address the constant influx of families in need. She built a strong, deeply committed team of 15 therapists that wholeheartedly embraced her vision, building 10 sensory gyms for families to play within. She launched a podcast that was listened to in over 50 countries, offering parents and therapists a lens to understand their sensory kids. And yet, no matter how “big” she became, she remained personally committed to her GKP families. She met every family. She remembered every child.
Outside of her professional accomplishments, Michele lived life fully and vibrantly. She was a runner, a beloved member of her lake waterskiing crew, and someone who knew how to carve out time for joy. In the rare moments when she wasn’t doing family activities or working, Michele found time to reconnect with friends. She cherished all her old and new friends, from Indian Lake, to Lake Hopatcong and Florida. And her therapists were more than therapists to her, they were friends and constant sources of joy, jokes and group gatherings to share just about everything with each other.
Michele’s faith journey brought her to a renewed connection at Emergence Church in Totowa, where she found peace, strength, and purpose in her spiritual walk. Her faith was quiet but steady, a grounding force that gave her courage and direction and a new way to share guidance with her family.
She will be forever remembered by her loving husband, Kim Parkins; her treasured children, Tyler and Fletcher; her faithful pups, Cassie and Daisy; her devoted parents Theresa and Jim (Colette Davis) Leach; her loving sister, Jamie Malouin; her parents-in-law, Michele and Kim Parkins (yes, they do have the same names as Kim’s parents!); her sister-in-law, Laura (Larry) Weiss; her nieces and nephews, Kalib, Lucas, and Lea; and countless dear friends, colleagues, and students. She leaves behind a family that adored her and a community that is forever changed because she lived.
Michele didn’t just live a life she built a legacy. She changed the way we understand children. She changed the way we show up for each other. She changed the world, one joyful moment at a time.
In honor of Michele Lynn Parkins, we invite everyone to join us for a Celebration of Life to honor her beautiful spirit, legacy, and the love she shared with so many. As Michele’s energy was always cheerful, we would like attendees to wear something vibrant to reflect the light she brought into this world. We welcome you to join the family for a public visitation on Thursday, July 24th, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Norman Dean Home for Services, Inc., 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, July 25th at 11:00 AM at Emergence Church, 930 Riverview Drive, Ste 300, Totowa, NJ 07512. We hope you will come to celebrate her life, share memories, and reflect on the light she brought to us all. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, or share your favorite memory of Michele to continue to celebrate her life and let her light shine!
For those who wish to help, there has been a Meal Train set up for Michele's family to assist during this time: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/13044z.
May we all carry forward the lessons she lived by: being present, leading with love, and just going to play and have fun.
Rest peacefully, Michele. Your light remains in all of us.
