Michelle Dean, 61, of Becker Road, Ames, NY, died on June 30, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family following a four-year battle with cancer.

She was born in Amsterdam, NY, on August 29, 1962, the daughter of Sheldon "Skip" Collins and Mary Mowrey Collins.

Michelle graduated from Canajoharie High School and Fulton-Montgomery Community College with an associate's degree and became a registered nurse.

She has worked at several places in her career, including top-quality health care, Palatine Nursing Home, Wells House, St. Johnsville Nursing Home, and various local hospitals. She retired on May 15, 2020, after 31 years.

She was a member of the Ames Fire Dept Auxiliary.

On November 23, 1979, she married Alan Dean at the St. Johnsville Masonic Temple.

Survivors include her husband, Alan Dean; son and daughter Larry and Lisa Dean; granddaughters Kayla Dean and Rileigh Dean; sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Dean Riggi brothers Steven Collins and Sheldon Collins; and several nieces and nephews.

The family invites everyone to a memorial service at the Ames Fire Station on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 2:00 PM.

Burial will take place at Mapletown Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangments are entrusted to Houghtaling and Hanley Funeral Home, 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317.

For those sending flowers, please consider using Floral Root, which is owned and operated by her son and daughter-in-law. Lisa will do a beautiful job for you; her favorite flowers are litheness and dahlias, which they will have plenty of in stock. If you wish to make a memorial contribution instead, please consider the Ames Fire Dept., St. Judes Children's Hospital, or the American Cancer Society of Schenectady.