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; 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. 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.

Michelle McDonough

October 11, 1962 - July 6, 2010