Michelle was born in Pottsville, PA, grew up in New Jersey. Attended Slippery Rock University, obtained a teaching degree in the Sciences and a Master's degree in Education. She taught & supervised at Sussex County Vocational School in New Jersey where she brought her love of science to all of the trade curriculums. In addition, she was a Class advisor/Career advisor/Guidance Counselor for students as well as the teaching staff. Unknowingly, Michelle home schooled her future niece and ultimately a nun.

After marrying Paul in 2000, as a Disciple of Jesus and Mary, she felt the call to join others serving the homeless and the poor in downtown Portland for a time prior to her mother needing care and her own poor health around 2003. The intensity of caring for her mother grew to periods of full time caring until her mother's death March 2024. Michelle was very active in the works of the Disciples of Jesus and Mary until God called her home. She served on and was a source of energy, for the church flower committee, which she dearly loved.