After a gutsy and spirited seven-year battle with cancer, Michelle L.
Couitt-West, 32, of 389 Chestnut Street in Claremont, died Wednesday,
January 10, 2007 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon,
surrounded by her family and friends.

Michelle lived with cancer every day for the past seven years.
She was not only a cancer patient; she became an advocate for cancer
research and awareness.   She proudly participated in her first Relay for
Life for the American Cancer Society last year in Claremont.

Michelle was born in Claremont, NH on May 26, 1974, the beautiful daughter
of Richard and Dorothy (Goewey) Couitt. 

Michelle worked several jobs in her life and enjoyed her employment with
Sullivan County Nursing Home as a dietary aide.  Her most important role
however was that of teacher.  Michelle taught her family and those who knew
her and loved her the true meaning of courage and strength.  Always smiling
and positive, her beautiful and free spirit will be dearly missed by those
of us who were lucky enough to have had her in our lives. 

On June 6, 2004, Michelle married her love of 9 years, Scott E. West.  With
her marriage to Scott, she became stepmother to Kayla West, a role she truly
cherished.  In addition to her husband and step-daughter, Michelle was
survived by her mother, Dorothy (Goewey) Couitt of Claremont, her father and
stepmother, Richard and Earlene Couitt of Claremont, her brother and best
friend, Frank Couitt of Claremont, her niece, Skyanna Couitt of Unity, her
paternal grandmother, Alfreda Couitt of Claremont, her maternal grandfather,
Carl Goewey of Claremont, her mother-in-law Linda West of Newport and a
countless number of adoring aunts, uncles, cousins and friends she made
along the way. 

She was pre-deceased by her maternal grandmother, Ava Goewey in 2003, her
uncles, Frank Goewey, 1969, Jack Beyor, 1996, and Edward Couitt, 2001. 

Friends and family are invited to remember Michelle at the
Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street, in Claremont from 6-8 PM on Monday,
January 15, 2007. 

A Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 16, at 11 AM,
at the funeral home with Rev. Dr. Winn Alley, Pastor of the First
Congregational Church in Claremont, officiating.  Interment will follow in
Mt View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers and to continue Michelle's support of the
ACS cause, you may make a donation to either the Claremont Area-Relay for
Life, mailed to the ACS, ATTN: Pam Ritchie, Gail Singer Memorial Building,
360 Route 101, Unit 8, Bedford, NH, 03110 or David's House, P.O. Box 660,
Lebanon, NH 03766.