Michele Barber Chimene ’79

Michele Barber Chimene ’79, a Pittsfield, Massachusetts, native, died on January 31. An earth sciences major at Dartmouth, Michele marched with the school band, served as a big sister, went on a language study abroad to France, and participated in a foreign study geography program. Michele worked for many years in the oil and gas industry, settling in Texas, where she married and started a family. She then went to law school and received her degree from the University of Houston in 1991. As a lawyer she focused mainly on appellate law. In March 2018 Michele ran for an appellate judgeship in Houston, an experience she loved despite having losing the election. Michele served her community as a substitute local elementary school teacher and tutor, United Way volunteer, and volunteer for the Houston/Harris County Democratic Party. She was also an active, devoted member of Beth Yeshurun Synagogue. Michele was strongly supported by her partner, Victor Bush, and her children and extended family. A classmate who celebrated Michele’s 60th birthday with her in 2017 writes: “She had experienced some awful health issues, but was in a good place, running for judge because she believed in the vital importance of law adjudicated fairly for all. One year later disastrous gum surgery brought her health crashing down. But Michele believed she would recover, and she hoped her doctors would learn useful things from her medical issues. She wanted to do one more good thing.”