Brandon Twp.- As the sun broke through the clouds over the Belle Ann Elementary playground shortly after 3 p.m., April 16, dozens of pink and purple balloons were released by third-grade students in memory of their classmate, Michelle Yang.
The balloons floated quickly away on a brisk breeze as the children, as well as parents and Belle Ann staffmembers, gazed skyward.
Pink and purple were the favorite colors of Michelle, who died suddenly from a bacterial infection on April 6, while students were on spring break.
Michelle was born eight weeks prematurely on Oct. 16, 2001 with gastroschisis, a medical condition in which her intestines grew on the outside of her abdomen wall. She underwent surgery immediately after birth to correct the problem, but was left with a severely shortened bowel, and had lifelong health issues. In 2003, she had a multi-organ transplant and in 2007, near the end of Kindergarten, she had a severe bacterial infection that required skin grafts on her legs. Despite all her health issues, Belle Ann Secretary Ruth Rogan said Michelle always had a smile and was a sweet little girl.
‘She’ll remain forever in our hearts,? said Carol Tardie, Michelle’s third-grade teacher. ‘She was a tough little kid. The best word for her would be gentle.?
Michelle is survived by her parents, Kou and May Kazoua Yang, a sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.