Longtime Key Club chef concierge Barbara Michel dies

Longtime Longboat Key Club and Resort chef concierge Barbara Michel died Thursday, July 26, after a long battle with cancer.

Michel began her career at the Key Club when it first opened Oct. 4, 1982, and earned the role of chef concierge, which she held until 2010.

She was known for her soft voice, smile and ability to greet each guest she came in contact with by name and remember key details about them, such as their favorite accommodations, hometowns and names of their family members.

Key Club General Manager Michael Welly described Michel in a letter sent today to members:
“For those of you who had the honor of knowing her, you immediately felt her warmth, kindness and genuine interest in you when you were in her presence. She set an example for all of us to live up to and a legacy that will live on in our hearts forever. She was a woman of outstanding character, charm and grace and she will be dearly missed.”

Michel is survived by her sons Bill and Geoffrey; daughter, Tre Ann; and five grandchildren.

A service will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, at Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota.

For more information, pick up an Aug. 2 copy of the Longboat Observer.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].