Major Michelle Mendes

Major Michelle Mendes was a member of the Chief of Defence Intelligence, and was serving in her second tour of duty in Afghanistan when she passed away due to a non-combat related incident.

Major Mendes was 30 years old at the time and had recently been promoted from Captain to her current rank of Major. She was known for her extreme fitness ability and for her infectious smile, enthusiasm and thoughtfulness.

Mic, as her friends called her, was a scholar of war, first earning herself a history degree at the Royal Military College and later a Masters Degree in conflict analysis and resolution from Ottawa’s Carleton University in 2003. She then used that knowledge in her work in counter-terrorism as a military intelligence officer. Being such an accomplished soldier, she excelled.

Michelle lived with her husband Victor in Kingston, Ontario but was raised with her sister Melissa in Grafton, a tiny town east of Cobourg, Ontario by her parents Dianne and Ron. She attended Grafton Public School where even as a young child she excelled in sports and in public speaking.

She is remembered as being a real go-getter in whatever she did. Michelle will be sadly missed by her husband, her parents and sister, and the many friends that knew and loved her.