November 17, 1953 – January 20, 2025
OCRACOKE — Michele White, 71, of Ocracoke, died peacefully at home January 20, 2025, after a short battle with cancer.
She was the companion of Barney Bielecki.
Born November 17, 1953, she was the daughter of the late Clifton and Maybelle (Noel) Lamb in Oswego, New York. She was a graduate of Oswego High School.
An Ocracoke resident for the last 15 years, Michele was known for her warmth and generosity.
Having spent her working life as a chef or manager in the restaurant industry from Naples, Florida, to Duck in Dare County, Michele most recently worked at several restaurants on the Outer Banks.
As a chef at Waves Edge Restaurant in Waves, Dare County, her recipe for hush puppies was published in the November 1999 issue of “Bon Appetit.”
As Michele was a gourmet cook, she and Barney liked to share meals with friends. Food was a currency for Michele. Several friends recall that, out of the blue, they would find gifts of food on their porches or notes of inspiration.
Earle Irwin, a frequent island visitor, with her husband Bob Lineberry, helped Barney watch over Michele in her last days. Earle noted that she often would see Michele driving to her daily sunrise beach walk up near the pony pens while Earle went her own way on a beach run at the Lifeguard Beach.
“When I returned to my bike after my run, I began finding little unsigned, handwritten notes of encouragement and inspiration,” Irwin said. “Often a printed-out meditation was included, and those words guided my morning journaling exercises. I soon deduced that Michele was my secret inspirer.”
Trudy Austin recalled that after Hurricane Dorian devastated the island in a flood on September 9, 2019, Austin’s car was among the hundred that had been flooded. Michele lent Austin her own car for three months.
Austin, who works at the Variety Store, said that when Michele came in she just lit up the place and would say, “Hello, you happy people!”
A member of the Ocracoke United Methodist Church, Michele was known for welcoming strangers and hugging all during the “passing of the peace” portion of the service.
In addition to Barney, Michele is survived by two sons, Eric Daniel Cooper of Seattle, Washington, and Adam Lee Cooper of Oswego, New York, and daughter Heather May Austin of Manteo.
Also, seven brothers and sisters: Ralph Lamb, Bruce Lamb, Clifton Lamb, Tim Lamb, Gail Beckwith, Pam Ecke and Kathy Lamb Sheldon; numerous nieces and nephews; and five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life at sunrise on the Ocracoke beach will be held at a later date.
Barney would like to give his heartfelt thanks to island hospice nurse Mary Jane Cougan and all the members of the Ocracoke community for their help during this difficult time.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
