The unexpected passing of Michelle Nitardy, 32, of Seattle, WA, on June 3, 2025, has left her family, friends, and loved ones in profound grief. With a vibrant future ahead, she was taken from this world far too soon.

Michelle was passionate about hiking, running, traveling, music, and environmental activism. Her adventurous spirit, humor, resilience, and kindness brought light and laughter to everyone she met and left a lasting impact on all who knew her.

Born on September 17, 1993, in Maplewood, MN, to Charlotte Mutabazi Nitardy and Todd William Nitardy, Michelle grew up in Woodbury, MN. At Tartan High School, she competed in cross-country, basketball, and track, receiving several accolades for her athleticism. After graduation, she attended the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, where she ran Track & Field, before returning home, due to mental health challenges, to complete her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Her love for running continued long after college—she proudly ran the Twin Cities Marathons, raising money for clean water and improving the lives of children in the Global South.

Michelle’s love of the outdoors began early, sparked by a 10-day portage camp trip to the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota with the Girl Scouts at age ten. She wrote daily letters to her mother, sharing stories of her wilderness adventures. That spark continued to grow through countless summer camping road trips with her mom and siblings to visit U.S. national parks. During high school, she worked as a snowboard instructor and supervisor at Afton Alps Ski & Snowboard School. In college, she spent her summers working in national parks in Montana and Wyoming.

In 2017, driven by her thirst for challenge and discovery, Michelle moved to Seattle, WA, where she began building a promising career as a Life and Health Insurance Broker. The rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest became her second home as she spent weekends immersed in nature, hiking and camping in the Washington mountains.

Michelle’s devotion to the outdoors extended to her community. Since 2018, she has been a passionate volunteer with the Sierra Club’s Washington State Chapter. Her work included organizing virtual events for the Public Lands Group, leading hiking and camping trips, and most recently serving on the Chapter’s Executive Committee, where she helped guide its vision. She also authored a thoughtful article, Encouraging Diversity in the Outdoors, championing the importance of inclusion and accessibility in outdoor spaces. In addition, Michelle appeared in the film Expedition Reclamation, which highlights the experiences of women of color in outdoor environments.

The loss of Michelle leaves deep sorrow in the hearts of her loved ones. She had been on a journey of healing, with beautiful dreams for the future, and her life was cut tragically short.

Michelle is lovingly remembered by her mother, Charlotte, and siblings, Eric and Danielle Nitardy. Her extended family includes paternal grandparents Bill Nitardy (Diane); uncles Charles Mutabazi (Bongie), Chris Nitardy (Katriina), Jon Nitardy, and Tim Nitardy; aunts Evan de la Brousse (Alain), Ann Fechner (Daniel), Fifi Furaha (Mpozembizi), Evelyne Mutabazi (Jean Marie), and Yvonne Mutabazi (Remy).

She was cherished by many cousins: Alexander Nitardy, Leah Tilton (Alexander), Evelin Montgomery (David), Samuel Nitardy, Amanda Fechner, David Fechner, Jonathan Nitardy, Jeffrey Mpabwanimana (Kayla) & Jayden, Joeline Muhawenimana, Irene Furaha, Samuel Furaha, Benjamin Mutabazi, Michael Mutabazi, Ndalo Mutabazi, Kholo Mutabazi, Mugisha Exaucé, Mugisha Clément, Mugisha Prince, Mugisha Princesse, Joyce Rwangange, Nice Rwanyange, Bénite Rwanyange, and Bénit Rwanyange.

She is also remembered fondly by her American grandfather Richard Johnson, aunt Lori Davis (Jon), uncle Seth Johnson, and cousins Ximena Davis and Sonata Davis.

Michelle was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Pastor Bangamwabo and Mukesha Mutabazi, her uncle Gilbert Mutabazi, her paternal grandmother, Naureen Nitardy, and her American grandmother, Audrey Johnson.

Michelle was courageous in her struggle with depression throughout adulthood. Mental illness may not always be curable, but it can be managed through community care, medication, specialized therapy, and engaging in activities that bring meaning, joy, and ease. If you know someone struggling with mental health challenges, please remind them that help and hope are within reach.

Lastly, Michelle’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks to her friends in Seattle. Your care and concern for Michelle’s well-being meant so much, and your warm welcome to Charlotte and Danielle when they traveled to bring Michelle home will never be forgotten. Thank you also for organizing such a beautiful memorial service to honor Michelle before her final journey from Seattle to Minnesota.

Memorial Service Information: 

• Date: July 13, 2025
• Service Time: 2:00 PM 
• Visitation and Light Reception: 3:15 PM 
• Location: Hyland Hills Chalet (ThreeRivers Park District), 8800 Chalet Road, Bloomington, MN.

A private interment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly welcomes contributions to help with funeral expenses. Alternatively, you may choose to support an organization dedicated to empowering children of color by providing opportunities to explore our national parks in Michelle’s memory.

Links to Michelle's contribution to the environmental activism article and film:

1. Encouraging Diversity in the Outdoors: https://web.archive.org/web/2…
2.  Expedition Reclamation: https://web.archive.org/web/2…

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