Compassion + Support = Healing

At Skipper's Angel Wings, we are rooted in the powerful intersection of Compassion and support. From Compassion comes understanding, empathy, and kindness, which guide us in every interaction. The tangible care, advocacy, and guidance come from support that makes meaningful change possible. Together, Compassion and support create healing—for families, individuals, and communities navigating the profound challenges of terminal illness and end-of-life decisions.

We believe healing begins when people feel seen, heard, and honored. By meeting individuals where they are, with heartfelt care and practical assistance, we aim to provide more than just comfort—we strive to create a foundation for resilience, strength, and dignity during the most vulnerable moments.

Our Approach

We know that every journey through illness and loss is deeply personal. That's why we focus on creating partnerships with the families we serve. At Skipper's Angel Wings, we prioritize understanding each individual's unique needs, emotions, and values. Our team works collaboratively to provide holistic support that uplifts, empowers, and respects the entire person—not just their condition.

Rather than focusing solely on the challenges, we aim to foster a sense of purpose, connection, and hope. Whether through a helping hand, a kind word, or an intentional plan of care, we strive to bring warmth and light to even the darkest times.

What Navigates Us

• Integrity + Respect = Trust: Every action we take is grounded in honesty, clarity, and a commitment to honoring the dignity of each person we serve.
• Dignity + Compassion = Empowerment: Supporting people through illness and loss isn't about care—it’s about creating moments that honor life and provide comfort and meaning.
• Diversity + UnderstandingUnderstanding = Connection: We celebrate the beauty of every unique journey, recognizing that our differences enrich us and deepen our shared humanity.

At Skipper's Angel Wings, we are not just a service but a community. We believe in the power of human connection to inspire healing and hope, one family at a time.

Skipper’s Angel Wings 501 c3 was created and founded by Michele Cynthia Bell in 2003, inspired by her journey as a solo mother and caregiver to her son, Nicky. Nicky lost his courageous battle with cancer in 2005, and Michele was by his side through every grueling treatment and emotional challenge. During these moments of profound heartbreak, Michele experienced not only the unimaginable pain of watching her son fight for his life but also the devastating impact of systemic failures.

When Michele requested just 10 hours a week off from her role as a Project Manager at The Rivervue in Tuckahoe to support her children and 14-year-old son during his critical treatments at NYU, her life was upended. She was dismissed from her job, lost her home, and found herself homeless, living at the YWCA while navigating a fractured system that seemed indifferent to her plight.

These experiences—losing her son, her stability, and her community’s support—were transformative. Michele knew what it was like to be homeless and heartbroken, left to navigate a system that often neglects those in their most vulnerable moments. Skipper's Angel Wings was born resilient from this profound pain and resilience.

Michele created the foundation to provide the care and compassion she wished had existed during her darkest times. Skipper’s Angel Wings goes beyond medicine, offering holistic therapies, art, music, and emotional support to families enduring life-threatening illnesses and end-of-life challenges. Driven by her firsthand understanding of the gaps in care, Michele built Skipper’s Angel Wings as a haven for families, ensuring no one faces these battles alone. One day, we hope to create a sanctuary for families in Northern Westchester.

A Message from Michele 

“My journey through loss, homelessness, and heartbreak opened my eyes to the critical need for more compassion and understanding in our systems. I started Skipper’s Angel Wings at my son's bedside at NYU in 2003 to provide families the support I once needed—to bring light, comfort, and healing during life’s most difficult moments. There is no greater joy than seeing the progress we help families achieve, knowing they feel seen, supported, and empowered to navigate these challenges together.”