Alyssa Lynn Gale-Mitchell

With a smile that lit up the room and a warrior’s spirit, Alyssa Lynn Gale-Mitchell lived each day as a gift from God. A friend to everyone she met, Alyssa eagerly welcomed others with her whole heart. Positive, particular, and passionate, Alyssa fearlessly focused on how to make her dreams a reality and inspired all who were blessed to know her. In so many ways, Alyssa's spirit was larger than life. Cherished daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend, Alyssa's bright light will continue to shine in the hearts of those she so deeply loved.

During this final decade of the 20th Century The United States economy grew by an average of 4 percent per year between 1992 and 1999, an average of 1.7 million jobs a year were added to the American workforce, and the unemployment rate dropped to 4 percent, and the median American household income grew by 10 percent. It was a decade of much good news and astounding new achievement including the collapse of The Soviet Empire and the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa. The quality of entertainment dramatically improved and creative brilliance shined in our homes in the likes of Harry Potter, Seinfeld, The Simpsons, Friends, and NYPD Blue. Pixar resurrected animation with Toy Story while the digital age boomed with the mainstreaming of the Internet, digital phones, 3-D games, and affordable laptops. Peace and Prosperity were the order of the day, and American culture was vibrant and healthy as well. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, life’s good fortunes shined especially brightly as Melissa Gale and John Corlew welcomed their beautiful daughter Alyssa into their hearts and lives on June 27th, 1991.

Born with a fierce independence and a positive nature, Alyssa was often the source of joy for her family and friends. Alyssa learned the values of hard work and family from her father who worked as a pizza maker, and her mother who worked in retail and as a homemaker. Alyssa attended Harrison Park Elementary and graduated from Kenowa Hills High School, with the class of 2009. With perpetual enthusiasm, Alyssa enjoyed cheerleading, going to the movies, and exploring art. She loved drawing and often found solace in dabbling with her talents.

Alyssa had many interests. While the music of Indigo Rain was her favorite, she also enjoyed listening to country, pop, rock and gospel music. She could often be found reading fantasy fiction novels, especially the Twilight Series, or watching one of her favorite shows: Z-Nation, Shameless, Dexter, Ellen, or Supernatural. Alyssa dreamed of one day owning a consignment shop where she could help others breathe new life into old favorites. Most notably, Alyssa was a woman of undauntable faith; she eagerly explored and celebrated her love of God in the comforts of the fellowship at Eagle’s Nest Church on Leonard St. NW.

Ten years ago, Alyssa met and fell in love with Jonathan J. Mitchell. Together the couple shared the adventures of loving and raising their young son, Daetyn and anticipating many dreams for the future. On December 12, 2012, while pregnant with their second child, Alyssa was diagnosed with a very rare Acute Leukemia. Despite the dark shadow the diagnosis cast on her pregnancy, Alyssa unhesitatingly chose to concentrate on her blessings. She focused on caring for herself and her child with joyful anticipation and always remained positive. With life’s blessings as her center, Alyssa and Jonathan married in the chapel of Spectrum Health in December of 2012 and in March of 2013, the couple relished in welcoming their healthy son, Scott, into the world.

Without a doubt, Alyssa’s greatest joy came from the people she so loved. Her boys were the light of her life and she loved them with her entire being. Though her time with them was far too short, Alyssa did her best to infuse each moment she had with her boys with love, hope, and faith. Even in the face of life’s greatest challenges, Alyssa was truly a living example of faith. She consciously chose to be loving and forgiving, find beauty in absolutely everything, face hardships with grace and humor, be of service to others, and express her appreciation for all she had. An angel in our midst, Alyssa made sure she fully lived each moment she was given and in so doing, she showed each of us how to live.

While it is beyond words to imagine life without Alyssa's steadfast presence, may we find comfort in our many sweet memories of the beautiful woman we were privileged to know and that after a long battle, she is no longer in pain. May we also find the courage to carry Alyssa’s legacy of embracing each person and each day as a gift forward. With every kindness we extend to another and every fearless step we take, we keep Alyssa’s spirit alive in our hearts and lives where it will continue to provide warmth and inspiration for countless others.

Alyssa Lynn Gale-Mitchell, aged 26 of Grand Rapids, went to be with her Lord and Savior, on Friday, November 24, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. She leaves behind; her husband Jonathan; her two loving children, Daetyn and Scott Mitchell; her mother, Melissa Gale; her father John C. Corlew; her step-father, Andre Damoiseaux; her step-mother, Amanda Corlew; her grandmother, Lorraine Gale; her grandparents, Mark and Barb Corlew; her siblings, Erica Jo Trout, Jeremy Menefee, Eddie (Ashley) Trout, Nicole Trout, Christian Corlew, Derek Trout, Alexis Corlew, Xavier Corlew;her best friend and soul sister, Heather Conkright; many nieces, nephews, cousins aunts, uncles, and many, many friends. She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Scott Trout, her grandmother, Wanda “Joan” Corlew; grandfather, Dan Gale; her aunt, Julie Danielson; and her uncle, Butch Hubscher. Celebration of life to be held on Saturday December 2, 2017 at Gold Ave Church located at 49 Gold ave NW GR, MI 49504, from 11 am until 1:30pm. Bring pictures, a story, a poem, a song or anything that you would like to share as we celebrate her life and how she impacted each of us. Anyone wanting to make contributions can make funds payable to Lorraine Gale(Alyssa's grandmother). To leave your own memory of Alyssa, to sign her guest book, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com