WASHINGTON, DC - Michelle Morgan, president and CEO of Signature Travel Network, passed away on September 17, 2013, from complications after the treatment of acute leukemia. She had battled breast cancer over the past several years.
At the Signature Travel Owners’ Meeting in Washington, DC, this week, which Morgan had helped to plan while she received treatment in Houston over the past year, it was announced that the Michelle Morgan Memorial Fund had been created.
In addition, a celebration of her life will be held in Marina del Rey, CA, on October 18, 2013. Details for that event are still in the works, said Alex Sharpe, whose appointment as president and CEO of Signature was announced this week at the conference. Sharpe had previously held the role of COO.
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In an extremely heartfelt address to Signature travel agency owners and suppliers in attendance at the conference, Sharpe remembered Morgan poignantly, noting that Morgan earlier this year had thought she would be able to attend this Owner’s conference and looked forward to it as her “coming back party” to be with her friends.
“Every moment, every day, we always expected her back,” said Sharpe. “A few weeks ago she acknowledged that she wouldn’t make it this year. It was heartbreaking for her and it was heartbreaking for us.
“On the morning of September 17, she was finally at rest,” said Sharpe, who called Morgan “a true fighter.”
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“She battled for a bigger voice as she came up the ranks in the industry, and as a single mother. And she battled for you,” he told agency owners, adding that she won the respect of everyone she battled. “Michelle’s focus was to do everything for you that you couldn’t do yourselves, technology, marketing and training.”
Sharpe then introduced a video montage of Morgan (shown above) through the years that left not a dry eye in the house, as the Signature founder was shown with friends, family and colleagues at meetings and events held all around the world. At the conclusion of the video, everyone sat in silence as they remembered their good friend and Signature’s leader.
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Following is the announcement of the Michelle Morgan Memorial Fund:
Michelle’s daughters, Alisa Morgan and Deirdre Cosby, would like to extend their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support for their mother since her passing from complications after the treatment of acute leukemia.
Michelle’s family has set up The Michelle Morgan Memorial Fund and request that tax-deductible donations are made in lieu of flowers. The Michelle Morgan Memorial Fund is part of Renaissance Charitable Foundation, a non-profit 501-3c, and supports national charitable organizations aimed at leukemia and other cancers: awareness, scientific research, treatment, health care professional education, patient care and caregiver support. In addition, the Fund will support community-based organizations for blood and blood product donations.
Donations made be mailed to:
The Michelle Morgan Memorial Fund
c/o California Financial Partners, Inc.
505 N. Brand Blvd. Suite 1470
Glendale, CA 91203
Please direct any questions to Deirdre Cosby at (760) 213-4806.
Video provided courtesy of Signature Travel Network and Myriad Marketing.