Michele Issokson Sbrega

Grantham, NH – Michele (Issokson) Sbrega, 42, of Grantham and formerly of Durham, NH, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2017 at her home. Michele was born in Dover, NH, the loving daughter of Roberta (Dinerman) Issokson of Exeter, NH and Dr. Evan J. Issokson of Margate, FL. She was the twin sister of David Issokson of Vineyard Haven, MA. She was the devoted wife of the late Michael Sbrega. Michele was raised in Durham and graduated from Oyster River High School with the Class of 1993. She spent her first year of higher education at Colby College in Maine. At the conclusion of that year she informed her parents that the program wasn't challenging enough for her. She then transferred to Smith College in Northampton, MA to advance her education and was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree and inducted into the society of Phi Beta Kappa. She later went on to earn a Master of Science Degree in Evaluative Clinical Science from Dartmouth College. Upon graduation from Smith College, Michele worked for Bay State Medical Center in Springfield, MA. She married her late husband in 2002. They relocated from Niantic, CT to Grantham in 2005. She was employed at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center as a clinical research specialist in the Department of Clinical Trials. A loving, compassionate and intuitive woman, Michele had an innate ability to bring out the best in the people she met. Michele loved children as well as older adults and all those in between. She loved visiting her Nana Ruth Dinerman and Aunt Gert. She could just relate so easily to others regardless of a person's age. She was a natural problem solver whose friends and family benefited from her natural intuition. She enjoyed learning, solving math problems, gardening, flowers, and especially irises. Michele loved interacting with people and was at her happiest when assisting others in any way she could. She would say that she “liked to be the dumbest person in the room” since she always loved learning more from others. Michele loved animals especially “Paddy,” a dog who belonged to someone Michele loved , viz., the late Ann Draper Brown. Ann became Michele's very close friend and was the principal at Oyster River High School. Ann's late son Gabe, Jacob Michaels and Michele were the devoted hands on care team for Ann from the time of her diagnosis until her death some 10 months later. Michele would refer to Ann as one of the loves of her life. Michele dreamed of some day having her own dog named Maggie. She always wanted to become a physician specializing in dermatology but the constraints and physical limitations from lupus precluded her ability to do so. In addition to her parents, she leaves her twin brother David Issokson of Vineyard Haven, MA, her late and beloved Nana, Ruth S. Dinerman, her late grandparents, Pearl and Yale Issokson, her in-laws Nancy and Louis Sbrega as well as many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. Michele also left and loved Mel Phippin who is her mother's life partner. She also leaves her many close friends and associates at Dartmouth Hitchcock. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. Sue and Jim Berg, Barbara Moskalenko, and Barbara Baker became very close to Michele and helped her and Mike immeasurably during their period of declining health. Alice and Curt Givan of Kensington, NH were among those who lovingly helped Michele as her health declined. They provided much TLC as well as transportation to medical appointments. Barbara Baker, a coworker and friend, sent a note stating, “Michele was a wonderful friend who was always insightful, bright, funny, warm and a relentless cheerleader. I will always remember our happy times together.” Many notes from her coworkers have been received and appreciated expressing the same sentiments. Michele's outlook was to pull the positive from every day "even if it was by a strand." She was so intelligent and had a wonderful sense of humor, quick wit and such care and concern for others even through her declining health. May Michele remain a bright light within our hearts. Michele loved flowers and they will be gladly accepted but if desired, memorial donations may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America at www.lupus.org. Family and friends are invited to visit from 1 to 2 pm on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home, 811 Lafayette Rd., Hampton. A memorial service to honor Michele's memory will start promptly at 2 pm in the funeral home. Burial will be private. All are welcome to a gathering immediately following Michele's service at the Victoria Inn, 430 High St., Hampton. Directions will be available as you exit the funeral home.

Michele Issokson Sbrega

February 5, 1975 - October 13, 2017