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Michelle McDonough
Michelle passed quietly on July 6, 2010 in the Pathways Hospice Center in Loveland. Bile duct cancer claimed her life after a courageous 19 month battle.
She was born Michelle Lynne Beyer on October 11, 1962 in Holy Cross Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. She grew up in Warren, Michigan with her parents Ron and Sharon Beyer and two younger sisters, Lisa Renee and Kimberly Marie.
During her childhood, her family spent many weekends at their property near Forest Lake, about an hour north of Saginaw. It was there that her love of nature grew and flourished. She loved walking in the woods and picking fresh blueberries.
After her 1980 graduation from Cousino High School in Warren, Michelle attended Lawrence Technological University (then called Lawrence Institute of Technology) in Southfield, Michigan. She studied Mechanical Engineering and Math/Computer Science, graduating in 1984 with a BS in Math and Computer Science. While at Lawrence Tech she joined Delta Tau Sigma sorority and made many life-long friends, including her best friend and future husband, Bill McDonough.
Michelle and Bill were married in Bill’s hometown Trenton, Michigan, on August 25, 1984. In 1989 Michelle gave birth to healthy boy/girl twins, Christopher and Kelly. The family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado in 1994 following the retirement of Michelle’s parents the previous year. They fell in love with the Rocky Mountains after a couple of visits as both a childless couple and later with the twins.
As members of the Christ United Methodist Church faith community, Michelle and Bill helped as part of the worship team for the contemporary worship service for several years. Michelle maintained a close relationship with God throughout her life and was a spiritual inspiration for many.
One of Michelle’s favorite pastimes was to take relaxing walks on the nature trails at the CSU Environmental Learning Center. She developed a love of nature photography and found great peace and relief from stress while watching the deer and birds frolic. She was very creative and enjoyed sewing and various craft projects.
Michelle was employed by the City of Fort Collins for 13 years, where she was a Project Manager and Application Development supervisor. She was very highly regarded by everyone she worked with, particularly the members of the team she led. In 2007 Michelle was recognized as one of the first group of “World Class People” by the city. This honor was bestowed upon 20 of the 1000 or so city employees.
Michelle was diagnosed with bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) in December 2008. This cancer is very rare, with only a handful of new cases each year and is almost always fatal, usually within 6 months. She was a strong fighter, though, and with excellent care and surrounded by the love of her family and spiritual support from an army of prayer warriors her longevity was nothing short of miraculous. She was able to take a family cruise around the western Caribbean last July and enjoyed a family reunion last Christmas to celebrate her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary.
Michelle is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 25 years, Bill; son Chris McDonough; and daughter Kelly McDonough. She is also survived by her parents Ron and Sharon Beyer, grandmother Lucille Beyer, and sisters Lisa Riley (Greg) and Kim Levine (Lindsey) and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The McDonough family extends warm appreciation to Dr. Robert Marschke and the staff at Front Ranger Cancer specialists, the nurses and staff at the PVH Oncology ward, and Pathways Hospice for their extraordinary care and comfort throughout Michelle’s battle.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 10 at 1:00 PM at the Colorado Welcome Center outdoor amphitheater located just off Prospect Road west of I-25. (3745 E. Prospect). An indoor reception with coffee and cake will follow the service. Please join us to celebrate the all too short life of this remarkable woman.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to assist with Chris and Kelly’s education may be made to the Michelle McDonough Memorial Fund c/o Goes Funeral Care, 3665 Canal Drive, Suite E, Fort Collins, CO 80524.
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Michelle was a wonderful sister, child, wife, mother and friend. She was an inspiration to us all and always put others needs before her own. Some of my favorite and cherished memories are:
ReplyDeleteThe wonderful hand made gifts she created with love and much talent.
The time she took me to my first rock concert at age 14 (Journey with Pat Benatar)
All of the fun days we spent up North, fishing, playing badminton, picking blueberries and riding dirt bikes
The loving advice she gave me growing up as well as the times in my adult life when I needed someone to talk to and she was always there.
The two wonderful and talented children she and Bill raised.
The way she cared for our sick mother with love and tenderness during her long and continuing illness.
Michelle's strong faith and how it inspired others. I got an opportunity to see the impact she made on others during the uplifting prayer service held for and with Michelle in early June.
I take comfort in my faith at this time and in God's promise of eternal life. That promise is beautifully illustrated in one of my favorite PSALMS (23).
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me respose.
Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage.
You spread the table before me
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows
Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.
Michelle, see you when we both dwell in the house of the Lord.
Love Lisa
I remember the times we would go up north with the Beyer's and other neighbors, and what fun we had. Hobo dinners on saturday, the little church with the fast talking priest (nothing like a half hour mass). Ice cream after that.
ReplyDeleteI also remember the times at home in Warren. Playing that silly mummy game where we had to collect jewels. Monopoly. The pool.
Through it all Michelle was a friend.
While we grew apart, I have always and will continue to hold a special place in my thoughts for Michelle and her entire family.
How do I summarize what my sister Michelle meant to me in a few paragraphs? She was my big sister. She got to do everything first, from going to school to driving a car to leaving home to getting married to having kids. She tried to teach me how to catch a softball. I give her credit for this even though I got a fat lip from getting hit by the ball. Growing up, I was her bratty younger sister. We got over that, though, and I count her as one of my best friends as well as a sister. I was sad when I left Michigan to go to school and could not see her twins grow up as often as I wanted. I was thrilled when she could attend my wedding in California with her two kids acting as flower girl and ring bearer. I wished that I lived closer to her and to my sister Lisa because we always shared good memories when we were together. She was always glad to see me or to hear from me. We had put aside our childhood sibling rivalry. We talked, sometimes often when we could, sometimes not as often when life got in the way of making phone calls. I would think of her often.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, you have taken that last journey first. I can only look forward to seeing you again when it is my turn to follow your path. May I embrace life even in the face of uncertainty and illness with as much grace, dignity, love for all, and devotion to God and family as you did.
Your loving sister,
Kim
From meditations before Kaddish (the Jewish mourner's prayer) in the Reform Siddur (Jewish prayer book):
ReplyDeleteWhen I die give what's left of me away
to children and old men that wait to die.
And if you need to cry,
cry for your brother walking the street beside you.
And when you need me, put your arms around anyone
and give them what you need to give me.
I want to leave you something,
something better than words or sounds.
Look for me in the people I've known or loved,
and if you cannot give me away,
at least let me live in your eyes and not in your minds.
You can love me best by letting hands touch hands,
and by letting go children that need to be free.
Love doesn't die, people do.
So, when all that's left of me is love,
give me away.
Michelle's strength, so quiet that it would surprise you, is what I think of.
ReplyDeleteI remember particularly the small booklet of Scripture and prayer she made a gift of to CUMC, that came out of her own troubled times, and how powerful it was-- and how unexpected to me.
Mary Ann
My sister was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma in December 2008 as well. Jennifer was 34 years old when she lost her battle March 25,2010. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Two great women lost at such a young age. I pray a cure will be found soon for this wretched disease.
ReplyDeleteI will remember Michelle as a gentle, kind and thoughtful soul who had a most genuine nature and a great laugh. Some of my favorite memories of Michelle are when we were at Uncle Ron and Aunt Sharon's cottage... As children picking blueberries, feeding chipmunks and having her tell us younger, giggling girls in the bunkbeds to go to sleep and, as adults, sharing genuine belly laughs at the antics of her young children in the penny hunt and at my sister who made signs for the family reunion that spelled our family name of "Moran" as "Moron." (Sorry Lauri - but that did get the laughs that day - and Michelle gave you as much grief as the rest of us!)
ReplyDeleteAlthough we did not see each other often as adults, I've watched her, Bill, Chris and Kelly evolve and grow these past 10 years mostly through my Grandmother, my Mother, Uncle Ron and Aunt Sharon's eyes. The countless cards, pictues, thoughtful hand-made gifts and visits were and will always remain a source of great joy and pride for our Grandmother - and for our entire family.
Although we've not been in Colorado these past 18 months, Grandma and the Wright's lit candles in countless churches across many states and continue to pray for Michelle, Bill, Chris, Kelly, Uncle Ron, Aunt Sharon, Lisa and Kim. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
We thank God for granting Michelle peace and for granting us the certain knowledge that we will laugh and rejoice together again.
Your cousin,
Becky
Bill,
ReplyDeleteYou did a wonderful job eulogizing your lovely wife. I never met her and I can imagine the special bond you both must have shared simply by reading the way you expressed your deep affection for her. I would like to express my deepest sympathy for you and your family through this tragic ordeal. These things always seem to strike the really good people of the world. You also sound like a great person who can carry on the family unit even through this very tough and trying time. I wish you all the support in these coming months.
Dale Morrison
Canton, MI
Trenton class of 1979
Dear Michelle my Belle,
ReplyDeleteYou were always our favorite Oldest Child. You were always a beautiful Child and adult. You were always so kind, generous, loving and giving. Always thinking of others first. I remember the phone conversations we often had, all the walks at the learning center and the walks in the woods in Michigan where we tracked the deer and found them. We also went out picking many blueberries for pies and pancakes. Dad also took you out in the woods to learn how to ride the dirt bikes. I will always remember the many shopping trips we made sometimes with Dad tagging along. Dad and you got to do a lot of bonding when he was helping you make your cedar chest. We also had a great time the week you came to spend with us in April.
One thing you always enjoyed were your crafts. I still have the bracelet you made for me while you were on retreat. Then there were the hats you made me for my first chemo to keep my head warm. I still use
them. Next were Bookworms and book markers, also beautiful Christmas ornaments and a wonderful hook rug Cactus which has become apart of you, Kelly and me. We have always been very proud of your accomplishments when you were little and when you grew up. We were very proud of the faith you had and your spirituality. You really showed strength and courage in your fight for life. We are especially proud of the way you & Bill have raised Chris and Kelly . You will be with us always in our hearts.
All of our love forever,
Mom & Dad
hey, Michelle, it's about two weeks before Greek Day, and I just wanted you to know that I had a great smile remembering some of the truly ridiculous stuff that we did "back then". I'm taunting Mary Ann for good measure right now as we speak, in fact, and I know you'd be joining in to "play her" too
ReplyDelete