A devoted mother, a hard worker and a great cook who expressed her love through cooking, Michelle Honey has been remembered as a woman who poured her whole heart into raising her children and building a strong, loving family.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
“No-one would love you the way she would. She was just a beautiful person,” her husband, Jeff Honey, said.
Born Michelle Louise Baldi in Corowa on September 30, 1968, to Pauline and Edward ‘Toey’ Baldi (dec), her early years were spent moving between towns with her family as her father followed work.
She was the youngest of four siblings, including Darren, Edward (Woody) and Tracey.
Michelle attended primary schools at Hillston, Hanwood and Darlington Point, before completing her early education at Gowrie St Primary School when the family settled permanently in Shepparton.
She went on to high school at Wanganui Secondary College.
Known always as a hard worker from her first employment at Leo and Lisa’s fish and chip shop, Michelle went on to work at Big W, Yakka and her aunt and uncle’s café.
Her longest work stint was 35 years for Marlene and Sharon Cleave for 35 years.
After that, she could be found behind the counter at the Liberty service station before finishing her working life at Tools Down Coffee Hub in Benalla Rd, Shepparton, a place she helped design, set up and manage.
Long before then, when she was 18, she met Jeff at Pinkie’s Nightclub at the GV Hotel.
They hit it off immediately and, as their romance blossomed, Michelle would ride her pushbike to work at a bakery at 3am to save money for their wedding.
The pair were married at St Brendan’s Church on October 27, 1990.
Three years later, their first child, Maddison, was born, followed by their second child, James, in 1996.
Her family says Michelle believed motherhood was her greatest calling.
“She lived for her family, she would tell her kids, you can do anything you want to do, she was so determined,” Jeff said.
“She’d just inspire you to be anything, she was just so strong.”
Michelle was the primary caregiver when their children were growing up, while Jeff worked six days a week driving trucks.
He said she would ensure they were supported in their sports, dancing, music and school.
“She gave everything to her family,” Jeff said.
Bolstered by Michelle’s constant support, Maddison went on to study commercial law at university and James became a world champion martial artist.
Her family and friends described her as selfless, creative and genuinely funny, with a gift for making people feel safe and cared for.
She had a passion for creating beautiful meals and making everyone feel welcome at her table.
With a flair for home decorating, particularly at Christmas time, her family says the festive season was her favourite, but she made every holiday magical.
“Her Christmas tree was next-level; she was Mrs Christmas,” Jeff said.
On January 31, 2023, Michelle was diagnosed with stage two triple-negative breast cancer; a rare and aggressive form of the disease.
After surgery, radiation and 18 months of immunotherapy, Michelle was deemed cancer-free in June 2024, before it returned just six months later, in December.
By then, it was stage four and Michelle was terminal.
Still, she refused to give up.
Jeff said Michelle changed everything from her diet and fitness regime to the household products they used, determined to fight her illness with everything she had.
“She gave herself every opportunity,” he said.
Sadly, it wasn’t enough.
Her health went downhill earlier this year and she spent five weeks at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, only returning home to speak at the Shepparton Harness Racing Club’s Pacing for Pink breast cancer fundraiser in May.
“You wouldn’t know she was in pain, she put on a wig and her makeup, she’d get dressed — she was a very elegant dresser — and she’d put on the bravest face,” Jeff said.
Michelle talked about the importance of advocating for your own health.
“If something doesn’t feel right in your body, follow it up,” she had said.
“Get it checked. Push for answers.”
Jeff said Michelle made peace with dying and had asked him to stay in the car one day while she went into Owen Mohan Funeral Directors and organised her own funeral.
A few days before she passed on July 13, at 56, Michelle’s son, James, and his fiancée, Maddison Tsorbaris, held a special mock wedding ceremony, so that she could witness the couple ‘marry’.
Michelle’s funeral was held on a rainy winter’s day at a full St Brendan’s Church before she was laid to rest, next to her father, who also died of cancer, in 2022, at Shepparton Public Cemetery.
Her family has vowed to carry Michelle’s love, strength and story with them into the future.
“We will honour your legacy in how we live, love and care for each other. Your light will live on in all of us,” they said.
Senior journalist