Michelle Newmark, of Reston, VA, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2026 at the age of 38, with the help of a Voluntary Assisted Dying organization after a more than three-and-a-half-year struggle with a rare and progressive chronic pain disease, erythromelalgia. Born on May 23, 1988, in Middletown, New York, Michelle lived in different places across the country, eventually settling down in northern Virginia with her partner and two dogs. She spent her time advocating for animal and human rights; and until her disease took her independence, she could often be found out riding her bike on the trails or exploring and taking long walks with her dogs.

Michelle is survived by her loving and very patient partner, Mars Weston; her father, Irvin Newmark; her sisters, Nicole Newmark, Roxanne Newmark, and Lynette Adams; her nieces, Carina Ciaramitaro and Danica Morris; her cousin, Alexis Newmark; her uncles, Ronald Newmark and Don Dunsky; her aunt, Maxine Homan Newmark; her sister-in-law, Aja Weston-Rubianes; and her brother-in-law, Jim Schwab. She is fondly remembered by all of the many friends she met across the country. She also leaves behind her beloved dog Peanut. She is predeceased by her best friends Goliath and Gretta, and we hope they are now reunited somewhere. She is also predeceased by her mother, Barbara Newmark.

Michelle was devoted to fighting against injustices; whether animal cruelty or human rights abuses. Her life was defined by empathy and compassion; she believed people and animals deserved to live free and happy lives. Her resourcefulness inspired everyone who met her, and her dry and sometimes morbid sense of humor provided a dash of relief in a chaotic world.

She was tenacious, persistent, and at times vexatious. She understood her faults and knew how to admit when she was wrong. She wrote this obituary herself so that no one could, in her words, lie about her being a perfect person. In her final act of independence, she chose to leave this world on her own terms and end her suffering.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Michelle’s memory may be made to Humane Colorado, Homeless Animals Rescue Team, Hub City Humane Society, Animal Legal Defense Fund or your local animal shelter.