Colette Verger Michael passed away  at her home in Dekalb, Illinois on January 14, 2024, at age 96. Colette was born on May 3, 1927 in Marseille, France, to Raymond Verger and Fanny Kindler. Amidst the disruptions of WW II, her family moved to Tunisia, which resulted in Colette leaving school at the age of 14. At age 15, she started working for the French Resistance; and at 17, was formally inducted into the French Intelligence Service as a 2nd lieutenant. Returning to France, Colette served as a courier and – still just 17 – was granted a pass that read, in French and English:

French and Allied Military and Civilian Authorities are requested to authorize the undersigned to proceed freely to any point…This Officer is authorized 1) To wear civilian clothes, 2) To demand the help and protection, in case of need, of all members of the French Police, and the assistance of all French Government officials for the carrying out of his (sic) mission.

Among other rights, this pass enabled Colette, still a minor, to board any plane or train in liberated France.

After the war, she married an American soldier and moved to the United States, where she had three daughters, followed by three sons from a second marriage. While raising six children, Colette earned a pilot's license, took up downhill skiing and white-water kayaking; and then returned to school, earning a high-school equivalency degree, a BA (University of Washington), two Masters, and a PhD (University of Wisconsin). Well into her 50s, she began riding motorcycles. She served as a Professor of French Literature at  Shimer College in Mt. Carroll, IL from 1975 – 1976, and at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL, from 1977 until her retirement in 1990. Her scholarly works included, "Women and Evil in Dangerous Liaisons by Choderlos de Laclos," and "The Marquis de Sade: The Man, His Works, and His Critics."

Colette is survived by her sisters, Monique Roeth of Apex, NC, Janine Boyer of Marseille, France; her daughters, Pandora Larner of Bellingham, WA, Peggy Reddy of Issaquah, WA, Monique Perrault of New Bern, NC; her sons, David Michael of Newton, MA, and Gerard Michael of Cambridge, MA; her grandchildren, Elizabeth Parkes, Richard Parkes, Dane Perrault, Alix Michael, Jakob Michael, Madeleine Michael, Adrian Michael, and Amelia Michael. She is predeceased by her son, Alan Michael.

Colette will be remembered for her determination, vivacity and humor. Colette's family wishes to express its gratitude to Barbara Yager and other members of the exceptional care team that made it possible for Colette to stay in her home in her final years.

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