Michele Babayan, 64, of Wareham passed on January 8, 2026 surrounded by those that loved her the most.
She was born on March 15, 1961 to Lee and Marcel Babayan in Worcester, Mass. She attended Johnson and Wales University where she started an illustrious career as a chef. Over the years Michele made thousands of meals for anyone she came across, at all hours of the day and night, simply because she loved to entertain. She was a brilliant chef with a deep love for Middle Eastern cuisine, she expressed her care for others through food, laughter, and a heavy pour of spirits. She had a rare generosity, always willing to give the very best of herself, for anyone that needed it but especially for her family.
She married the love of her life, Kevin Madden on New Year’s Eve in 2001. They created a beautiful life together, dealing antiques, living on the ocean, and preparing some of the best meals we’ve ever had. They complimented each other perfectly and welcomed each other’s families as if they were their own.
We always said to one another, “How lucky are we?” And we were so lucky. Thank you for teaching us generosity; for sharing your love of cultural experiences; for lending an ear to the same subject for the thousandth time…and offering your unfiltered opinions about that subject; for giving so much of yourself to those around you; and for being such an easy person to love.
She leaves her brother Marc and his wife Doreen, her sister Tina and her husband Chris, her stepdaughter Emma and her husband Jason, her stepson Drew, her nephews Michael and Nicholas, her niece Kayla and her husband Dan, her grand-niece Elowyn, and her niece Lisa Marie and her husband Kyle.