Skip to main content

Claudine Helene Michel, 70

Thu, 02/06/2020 - 09:40

Jan. 28, 1950-Jan. 28, 2020

Claudine Helene Michel of East Hampton, described as a talented sketch artist who would often draw portraits for friends and family “or render beautiful East End landscapes as a hobby,” died of cardiopulmonary arrest on Jan. 28 at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. She had turned 70 on the day she died. 

Born on Jan. 28, 1950, in Bierges, Belgium, to the former Julie Lambeau and Jean Devos, she grew up and attended school there, and later earned a master’s degree in cultural anthropology from the Universite Catholique de Louvain. 
In 1972, she married Zachee Michel II, and the couple moved to his hometown of Westbury, where they started their family.

She was “quiet and reserved but had a keen intellect and a commitment to community service,” her family said. She worked as an advocate for people with disabilities, affordable housing, and the needy.

“While religiously and politically resolute, Claudine was a kind and gentle soul who would listen intently without judgment and would offer empathy and understanding rather than criticism and censure,” her family said.

She was a loving mother and grandmother, who set “an example of kindness, respect, and good manner” for her children and grandchildren. 

She is survived by three daughters, Mylene Michel-Guerra of Manorville, Vasthi Michel of Bridgehampton, and Sheba Michel of Brooklyn, and four sons, Zachee Michel III of Riverhead, Melchi Michel of Camden, N.J., Zerach Michel of Southampton, and Isch Michel of Riverhead. Her mother, Julie Lambeau of Wavre, Belgium, also survives, as do 13 grandchildren. Two daughters, Yvane Michel and Misha Michel, died before her, as did her husband. 

A memorial service will be held on Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. at Hamptons United Methodist Church in Southampton.

Villages

Countdown to the Three Mile Harbor Fireworks

The Clamshell Foundation's Great Bonac Fireworks Show over Three Mile Harbor is scheduled for Saturday at 9 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday. Because of the increase in boat traffic expected, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced the closure of Three Mile Harbor to shellfishing starting at sunrise on Saturday. 

Jul 10, 2025

A ‘Good Trouble’ Protest Up Next

Weeks after the “No Kings” rally brought an estimated 1,200 people to East Hampton Town Hall, another demonstration to protest the Trump administration will happen next Thursday, with a nod to the late civil rights icon John Lewis.

Jul 10, 2025

Item of the Week: On the F.H. Warner Bakery

This photo from The Star archive shows the F.H. Warner Bakery, built in 1893 and sometimes known as the Montauk Bakery, when it stood next to the Methodist Church, near Hook Mill.

Jul 10, 2025

 

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.