According to Michelle, her father Michael was a self-employed jewelery-maker. He lived his whole life as an unturned, unaware Egyptian Sphinx before dying suddenly of a brain anneurism when Michelle was still at a young age.
In death, the "shade" of Michael escapes from Limbo to present Michelle with her medallion, and has fleeting knowledge of his species, and of the great war, which he tries unsuccessfully to impart upon Michelle.