Michele (McDonald) D'Alessandro

Celebration of life services for Michele McDonald D’Alessandro, 58, of Branson, will be held Monday evening, September 9, 2019, 6pm at Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory, Branson, MO.  Melissa Gargiulo will officiate.  Michele entered into rest on September 5, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer.  A private burial will be held at a later date in the Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery, Branson. 

Michele was born on November 22, 1960 in Denver, Colorado.  She was the daughter of Joseph and Nelda (Gelder) McDonald. The family moved to the Springfield, Missouri area where Michele grew up.  She graduated from Glendale High School in Springfield.  Michele furthered her education at Southwest Missouri State University, now Missouri State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and Sociology.

Michele married Thomas D’Alessandro on September 7, 1996 at Our Lady of the Cove Catholic Church, Kimberling City, MO.  They celebrated twenty-three years of marriage.   Michele was an Associate Administrator for the Bluegreen Corporation.

Michele loved creating crafts and would go with her mother and sister to many different craft shows and festivals.  She is remembered for being the aunt who loved to work on crafts with her great nieces and nephews and was known as the project aunt.  Michele was a very patriotic person and very appreciative of our armed services.  She raised funds for Wreaths Across America to see Christmas wreaths on every grave at the Springfield National Cemetery.  She made it her duty to see that happen.  In 2018, there were over 2000 wreaths in the cemetery.  Michele’s dream would be for us to carry on the tradition.

Michele enjoyed photography and bird watching.   She loved dogs and was a friend to all dogs in need.

She was preceded in death by her father Joseph McDonald, brother Joseph McDonald, Jr., her in-laws Orlando and Catherine D’Alessandro and also many fur babies.

Michele is survived by her loving husband Thomas D’Alessandro of Branson, her mother, Nelda McDonald of Springfield.  Two sisters Marianne Hickey and husband Willie of Independence, Iowa and Jonelle Smith and husband Stuart of Rogersville, MO.  One daughter Samantha Raver of Branson and granddaughter Lilly Raver.  Best friend Melissa Gargiulo of Springfield.  Her rescue dog Tank.  Thirteen nieces and nephews plus fifteen great nieces and nephews.

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