Michelle Amanda Gorman

Michelle Amanda Gorman, Cherished, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Niece, Cousin and friend to many passed away suddenly December 3rd, 2023 at her home in Lakeside, California.

Michelle was born on Sunday October 8th, 1972 at 7:11am in Oceanside, California. She graduated from Rancho Buena Vista High School Class of 1991 and went to Vista High School where she was a honor student, a dancer, in student leadership, and a good friend to many. 

At the young age of 7, Michelle found herself with a bully so in order to express her feelings she would start journaling her day to day life events and she continued to do this for the entirety of her life. These journal writings only prepared my sister for her love of writing. She loved to read poems and to write them as well.

Michelle was a passionate reader of Stephen King Novels since the tender age of 13. She could read an entire book in one day because she couldn’t stand the excitement to wait to find out what happened the next. I remember my sister curling up on her bed with a 500-600 page book that she would have completely finished in a few hours time.

The final Stephen King book Michelle read was, Doctor Sleep with her sixteen year old son Brandon. She wanted to share her love of reading with him and from what I hear he has plans to read her entire collection of books.

During Michelle’s last semester of High School she became pregnant at the age of 18 years old. Our parents weren’t exactly pleased but there’s no reason to stay consistently disappointed in your daughter when a new life comes into the world.

Because by the time Michelle was 19 she welcomed her first love into the world, her first born and 10lb bundle of joy, as she would call him. Even on our last phone call my sister reminded me that Michael was what she calls “her first love” Michael lit up her life like a lantern lights the pathway in the dark. His arrival sparked something in Michelle and that was a little something extra where no one nowhere no matter who they are weren’t going to hurt her or her first love ever in this lifetime and just walk away. Michelle had evolved into a new version of herself, just like that of a caterpillar into a butterfly. Michelle had a huge love for butterflies as they represent the spirit of transformation. And my sister had transformed into a Mother and she transformed her ways of being spoken down to by others. She was now in charge of her own life. And may I say she made me very proud.

Michelle named Michael after Mikey the baby in the Movie “Look Who’s Talking.” If you knew Michelle you’d understand just how much she loves movies and how if you name a good movie she could give you a great comeback with the best movie lines. Some of her favorite movies include Pride and Prejudice, Dumb and Dumber, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Uncle Buck, Breakfast Club. She would love to watch a good crime documentary too.

After high school, Michelle was first working teaching in preschools while still enrolled in college. She just wasn’t sure what she wanted to do and what captured her heart most. So, she went to beauty school and She came home one day and she was a this natural brunette and then viola she turned into a stunning blonde. She really did look so beautiful. Again, it reminds me of a caterpillar molting into a butterfly. 

Michelle went on to work mostly as a server. at many different locations around North San Diego County at Chilis. Then she finished her phlebotomist program and got hired at Tri City Medical Center. My sister was not only efficient, she was well liked and as she was on shift more and more they realized she had a real talent for drawing blood on premature babies. So, she was highly sought out for many shifts and they needed her a lot. My sister didn’t buckle under the pressure instead she loved it. We’ll always be proud.. 

In 2003, My sister met Eric Cleek whom she loved to talk and laugh with and they enjoyed each other’s company so much that they fell in love. Eric even said that Michelle’s witty funny personality is what he was attracted to when he met her. Their love story led to the arrival of Brandon Russell Cleek in March 2007. When my sister laid eyes on little Brandon she thought well Mikey is my first love so Brandon you’re going to be the love of my life. Now my two sons each have a special love meaning in my heart forever. Brandon will light the way for Eric and I to see even though the sun is shining bright.

Michelle had so much love for the Cleek family she used to talk about how happy she was that they had taken in her oldest son as family too. It just melted her mama heart. She loved family gatherings and just being part of the integral family unit with Eric, Mike and Brandon. 

Michelle’s two sons are her greatest legacy  to speak of. No matter what was going on in this world, she would see to it that they were taken care of in any capacity if needed. Every single need no matter what it was. Even during Covid when they lost their home Michelle proved that she could be a great parent even during the most difficult of struggles.

This funny, beautiful, and charismatic woman was one heck of a friend to many along the way in her short lifetime. Even during our years in Christian school While our parents were forced to switch us from school to school Michelle still had a lot of friends. She just had that kind of personality that made it easy to attract new people. Michelle also had the gift of gab but she would make people laugh so hard. She would note on social media accounts that she was as an aspiring comedian and let me tell she had the gift to make you giggle. 

Michelle’s loss is immense on our hearts and souls. Every day that passes we try to get stronger and move on and to carry her beautiful memories with us. But sometimes the pain just gets the best of us. However, we are reminded that with the gentle ocean breezes Michelle’s loving touch is still everywhere around us. 

She is survived by her sons Michael Anthony Gorman of Vista, CA (Father:Dwayne MooreHouse) and 

Brandon Russell Cleek of Santee, CA (Father:Eric Cleek and Family) of Santee, CA

She is the eldest daughter to

Michael and Carol Gorman of Vista, CA

Michelle is the only sibling to Melissa Smith of Carlsbad, CA

Michelle also has one niece Taylor Smith, of Carlsbad CA.

Michelle is the niece to Sheree Gorman-Tuggle of Cleveland, Ohio (Spouse: Mike ) 

Sandra Gorman Campbell of CA

Gene Gorman (Spouse: Sharon) SO. Austin, Texas

Michelle is a first Cousin to

Wendy Lynn Campbell Smith of Oregon (Spouse: Scott Smith and Family)