07/19/2025
Dear Families and Friends of our Great Kids Place Community,
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the devastating news that our beloved founder and director, Michele Parkins, passed away unexpectedly yesterday.
Michele was a devoted wife, a loving mother, mentor, and a passionate clinician whose life’s mission was rooted in sensory emotional engagement and integration—anchored in the power of relationships and play. She was more than the visionary behind Great Kids Place—she was its heart and soul. Her work was never just about therapy; it was about connection, joy, and the shared journey of growth between children and their families.
Through her unwavering dedication, Michele created a model of care that has touched the lives of thousands of children, helping them thrive and empowering families to feel seen, heard, and supported every step of the way.
Some of her happiest moments were spent in the gym—playing, laughing, and learning alongside your incredible children and families. She often said there was no better feeling than walking through the halls of GKP and hearing pure joy and laughter echo through the air. That joy, and her vibrant energy, were the essence of everything she built here.
Michele didn’t just create a practice—she built a community. A place where compassion, expertise, and hope come together. She also built a strong, deeply committed team that wholeheartedly embraces her vision. We are united in our commitment to continue her legacy with the same passion and care that she infused into every corner of this practice and her work.
In this time of sorrow, we ask that you join us in lifting each other up—as a community, and as a family. We are deeply grateful for your offers of support, kind words, and memories shared. We will share details about memorial services to honor Michele and her incredible legacy as soon as they become available.
With love and deepest sympathy,
Your Great Kids Place Family
P.S. Take time to play today.
In honor of Michele, we invite you to pause and play—even if just for 15 minutes. Whether it's through creative games, hands-on activities, or sensory motor experiences, play is more than fun—it helps us process the world around us, deepen emotional connections, and begin to heal. Michele believed deeply in the power of play, and she would have wanted nothing more than for each of us to embrace it today and always. ❤️
