Michelle Christine (Curley) Curley-Capen

Michelle C. Curley-Capen, 67, of Quincy, formerly a longtime resident of Dorchester Lower Mills, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on June 2, 2022.

Dear daughter of the late Paul F. Curley & Rita F. Curley (Tucker). Cherished sister of Paul F. Curley, Jr. of Quincy, Maureen Amaral and her husband Robert Amaral of Hingham, and the late Brian A. Curley of Quincy. Loving wife of her late husband and soulmate, Larry W. Capen.

Michelle was a scholar-athlete at St. Gregory High School, a private, Roman Catholic, girls’ high school in Dorchester. In Michelle’s senior year, she graduated first in her class, was president of the National Honor Society, and captained the varsity basketball team. Michelle graduated first in her class at Aquinas College where she was inducted into a national business honors society.

Every year, Michelle and Larry looked forward to two events: travelling to one of the Caribbean islands  on their two-week vacation and hosting their annual Dorchester Day Party that may have been attended by 30 to 50 guests. Michelle, who wouldn’t eat fish, often accompanied Larry, an avid fisherman, when he went fishing, either at the pier at Castle Island, South Boston, or Race Point Beach, Provincetown. When Larry went fishing for stripers on the Cape, he would purchase live eels at a bait shop adjacent to the Cape Cod Canal. One day, the bucket in which the eels were stored overturned at Michelle’s feet: Larry thought it was hilarious; Michelle didn’t!

In 2007 Michelle, a legal secretary, was diagnosed with breast cancer, and because of complications from her chemotherapy, retired on a medical disability. Throughout the years, Michelle received moral support from her former colleagues and best friends: Jude Danielle and Anastasia Fernands. This self-declared “Dot Rat” worked for some of the most prestigious, State Street, law firms in Boston, i.e., Gaston & Snow and Hutchins, Wheeler & Ditmar. Michelle took a disability retirement from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, an American international law firm with over 1,000 attorneys.

Arrangements are being handled by Hamel Lydon Chapel. For online condolences, please visit hamellydon.com.