1 Photo
Michele Walton of Westhampton Beach died on May 19, 2017. She was 69.
Born in Seattle on December 10, 1947, she was the daughter of Joseph and Irene. She graduated high school in 1964 and after finishing two years of college pursued a career as a fight attendant, known at the time as a stewardess, for Pan American Airlines, from 1971 to 1973, followed later by a few years with TWA. In the 1980s, she moved to Eastern Long Island and worked at O’Suzannah’s Boutique in Westhampton Beach for more than 25 years. During that time, Ms. Walton became aware of the plight of neglected, abused and abandoned animals throughout the East End and, with four other woman, founded RSVP Inc., also known as the Riverhead Shelter Volunteer Program, in 1996. She was instrumental in developing progressive change for the shelter, as well as the surrounding community.
Due to her unwavering commitment to the welfare of animals, she pioneered a grassroots movement leading to a paradigm model still followed today, which has greatly improved the lives of animals. Her advocacy coupled with extraordinary courage and tenacity in the face of adversity in the most challenging of circumstances. Ms. Walton was a force to be reckoned, resulting in a change in community consciousness manifesting a more benevolent approach to animal welfare, survivors said.
Ms. Walton is survived by a brother, Michael; sister-in-law Sharon; nieces, Tanya and Kimberly; great-nieces, Victoria, Peyton and Paris; and great-nephews, Cameron, Karsen, John and Blake.
She was predeceased by her husband, Tony.
Funeral plans are pending.
on May 24, 2017