57, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away June 10, 2020.

Michele was born in Binghamton, New York, on January 31, 1963, to Richard and Gene Coston. She graduated from Johnson City High School. Michele became a Registered Nurse and worked at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. She most recently worked as a Medical Device Sales Representative with CPI, Guidant, Boston Scientific. Michele was diagnosed with stage IV anal cancer in February of 2010. She was a published author, blogger, and board member of a number of organizations, including being a patient advocate on MD Anderson’s HPV-SPORE committee, PIVOT, the NCI Rectal Anal Task Force, SQZ Biotechnologies and for the CRUK OPTIMISTICC Grand Challenge. Michele was passionate about the patient survival experience, particularly minimizing the long-term side effects following treatment. She was an active member of the Peer to Peer program with the HPV & Anal Cancer Foundation supporting other patients confronted with anal cancer. Her survivors include: her parents; husband, Jerry Longabaugh; kids, CJ Longabaugh, AJ Longabaugh and Maggie Hull; siblings, Renee (Mike) Ciancio and Matt Coston; granddaughters, Willa and Lauretta Hull.

We are so privileged to have known Michele. Her kind and caring heart, bubbly personality, and love of family and friends endeared her to all of us.

Michele was truly an inspiration to so many fighting cancer with courage and determination. Her advocacy to help others made a positive impact and is a legacy in her honor.

Click HERE to learn more about her work as a founding member of The University of Kansas Cancer Center's patient research advocacy group (PIVOT).

KSN News honored Michele and her story as part of a World Cancer Day feature in February 2015, click HERE to watch her story.

The Foundation is honored to receive contributions in memory of Michele Longabaugh. Please click below to contribute to the Goddard Education Foundation in honor of her life and legacy. Other contributions can be mailed to Goddard Education Foundation, 201 S. Main St., Goddard, KS 67052.