Michelle Salerno Obituary

Dear Salerno Family,

I just learned that Michelle lost her battle with cancer. I am so sorry for your loss. I met Michelle years ago when we both worked for a healthcare company. On occasion she would park at our house when visiting Ravinia Park. I did not see Michelle for years until I was dealing with my own health issue at Loyola. I knew she had produced the Joey Pouch becasue I used one for my stem cell transplant in 2012. I eventually ran into her at Loyola, and she was so supportive despite dealing with her own issues. Michelle was always so positive. Again, I am sorry for your loss.

John Thompson

Barbara, I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. May God comfort you with His grace and may you find peace knowing your husband and daughter are two special angels watching over you.
My deepest sympathy,
Diane Adamson Kauffman '59

My deepest sympathy and prayers to all in the Salerno family. You were trully Blessed with a beautiful girl who was a fighter like no other. Michelle will forever be an inspiration to all who knew her. May your hearts be filled with all the joys and memories you shared with her.

Our prayers have included Michelle and her family for many years as she courageously fought her battle. She made a possitive difference in the lives of everyone who knew her. She will never be forgotten.

I KNEW MICHELLE FROM POST OFFICE. SHE WOULD ALWAYS BE SO POSITIVE. I JUST CALLED HER A FEW WEEKS AGO MY HUSBAND WENT THROUGH THE STEM CELL. I JUST LOST HIM FEB 11. I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND I KNOW THEY ARE OUT OF THEIR PAIN. GOD BLESS YOU

Barb, Joey and Tony (and family), I am so sorry for your loss! May God wrap his loving arms around and tightly hold each one of you who are closest to Michelle - for when we are weak, He is strong! Michelle was my very closest and best childhood friend and I am crushed to hear this news! She was definitely an angel on earth and now undoubtedly an angel in heaven! Childhood memories with Michelle are vast and include not only sharing the same name, but also our mothers both being (Barbara) and one of our brothers (Tony) also having the same name. In many ways, her family felt like my own. At a very young age, Michelle gave me the confidence to become a cheerleader along side her for many years (Barb became the coach or director) and I was fortunate enough to be blessed with many rides to practices and games. We enjoyed Girl Scouts together. Our dads mistakenly square danced together at a father daughter dance when we got all mixed up on the do si dos (a good laugh and I'm sorry to hear that he has passed on as well). Michelle and I were eventually separated at High School and then I moved away and we lost touch. I will be forever grateful for the many childhood memories with Michelle. She was an AMAZING person and friend as she always accepted others for who they were. She never judged. She never compared herself to others. She always strived for her own personal best in everything. It appears that she fought an incredible fight with such courage, strength, dignity and grace! Thank you (family) for the beautiful video postings! Michelle's legacies will live on in my heart and the hearts of so many! May she rest in peace in the presence of our Almighty Lord.
Heartfelt Sympathies,
-Michelle (Pace) Findlay

Joe, Barb and Family, We were very sorry to hear the news about Michelle. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Michelle and I went to junior high together. I remember having sleepovers and watching scary movies until midnight. She was so extremely nice. Reading about her life it's obvious she led an extraordinary one and touched many people with her kindness. I have no doubt her family is extremely proud of her and wish them God's speed as they grieve the loss of a person who was beautiful inside and out.

My deepest heartfelt sympathies for you all. I will miss her. All my love, Cousin Michelle (ks)

Michelle was such a fighter and loved by many. She's no longer with us in the flesh, but her beautiful spirit will always be in our hearts.

My thoughts and prayers are with the
Salerno family. Michelle will truly be missed by all who met her at Loyola. I'll miss here greatly.

Tara Keller-Smith pct2
Loyola Cancer Center

Michelle was a precious angel who was strong and resilient. Despite her own problems, she worked hard to make other people's lives better and we are blessed to have known her.

Michelle, walk with your Angels my friend. I will miss so terribly. Go with God.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Michelle's family. You were always there to support and love her. She is smiling and out of pain. She never gave up hope. Courageous girl. She will be missed.

Dear Barb & Family,
I am so sorry. I was always Michelle's "cheer leader" from afar. I had the privledge to meet Michelle when she would meet "Mom" @ the DCs in Elk Grove. She filled the air with sparkle & freshness with every visit.
May she be safe in God's care, he only takes "the best"!

I have so many memories of Michelle, that it is difficult to pick my favorite. I met Michelle as a patient at Loyola, when she first started her transplant journey. I was her nurse. We rapidly became friends, spending many 12hr. shifts together in the basement of the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center. I learned about her life and all her travels, her lovely family (Babs, her doting father, her donor, and of course baby Joey) and all her dear friends. We spent Christmas Eve together, decorating her her 2 foot tree and watching "It's a Wonderful Life". I transferred out of the BMT department shortly after that, but Michelle and I remained close. We would meet for lunch and chat on the phone. She went to my wedding showers, baby showers, and kids birthday parties. She babysit my daughter Ava, and held my drooling son, Nicholas, several years later as he played with the 'Joey Pouch' around her neck.
I moved to California last year, and Michelle and I remained friends. She was scheduled to come for a visit, but unfortunately received the news of her disease progression and was never able to make it. I will miss my friend deeply and will find strength in all the wonderful memories we had shared. My thoughts are with her family.

Dear Barbara, I am SOOO sorry for your loss. I'm glad I had the pleasure of communicating with Michelle over the summer about her Joey Pouch. What an incredible, brave young women. You should be so proud. God Bless You & your family, Debbie Gilio

Deepest sympathies.
Carol & Frank Bardwell

We had the pleasure of knowing Michelle while attending Illinois College. We pray for all who loved her.....

I know Michelle is so sweet as long time no see each other for many years I going to pray for your family Michelle is peace no more pain I miss u Michelle
Your Cousin Sharlene Bates Dautel

I am so sorry for your loss. Michelle was a dear friend of mine many years ago at Glenwood Farms. My thoughts go out to the entire Salerno family

I had the pleasure to attend college with this strong pretty young woman. Full of energy and smiles as she entered every room. God Bless you Michelle and rest in peace. You are an inspiration to more than you realized. My thoughts are with the entire Salerno family. May you keep her memory close at heart and she will always be close.

Dear BArbara, Joey and Tony. The Loyola family has lost our shining star. She was truly an inspiration to all those who were fortunate enough to meet her. I loved her zest for life, her infectious smile, and what she would mutter under her breath, when only I was listening. I will miss her but never forget her. Shari Lichtenstein

Salerno family,
Please accept my sincere condolences. I didn't know Michelle, but I know it's hard to lose someone you love. Take comfort in knowing that we have the Bible-based hope of seeing her again in a righteous new world. May this good news as well as the wonderful memories of Michelle bring you solace. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Barb, Joe, Tony and family,
Our deepest sympathy on your loss of a very special person!
Michelle was courageous in her fight and is missed by all!
May your memories bring you peace and comfort at this most difficult time.

Joe and MaryLou Donzelli

I am so sorry for your sadness. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.

Barb,

My deepest sympathy to you and your family. May Michelle rest in peace.

We are sending our deepest condolences. Michelle as been an inspiration and light to us. She supported our son Kyle in his ongoing fight with Leukemia. We are heartbroken to hear this very sad news.
The Salerno Family is in our thoughts and prayers. Michelle is truly a blessing to us all.

A beatutiful spunky strong willed person to know. You were such an inspiration to us all.
Reast in peace Michelle..truly an Angel!

My thoughts and prayers are with Barbara, Joey and the Salerno family. You have my deepest sympathy. Michelle will always be in our hearts. She is a blessing to us all.

Michelle, I never met you but heard about your life adventures through my mom, Pam. She told me that you were a courageous fighter and a real neat person. She remembered the times you would visit your mom at work. We are very sorry to hear that you lost your battle. We hope the Joey Pouch will continue its success in memory of you. Our deepest sympathy to your family during this very difficult time.

Repose en paix Michelle.
Tu seras toujours dans nos coeurs.
Nous n'oublierons jamais la merveilleuse personne que tu étais.
Sincères condolèances

Michelle, I love you and miss you.

Auntie Rosie

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

Michelle you are with your Lord and savior now. Peace will be eternal for you. Thank you for your inspiration
God bless your family through life with your bravery and spirit.

Rest in Peace, Michelle! I'm delighted I knew you, the world was a brighter place with you. We shall miss you and think of you often!

May you find peace and comfort in all the great memories you shared with Michelle.

Michelle and her family are in our prayers.

We just want to extend our deepest sympathy to the Salerno family you are all in our hearts and thoughts,she was a very brave person and now she is in heaven with her Dad. Keep strong!

God looked around his garden
And found an empty place,
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your shining face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
It was a honor and priviledge knowing you, Michelle.

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

Michelle had a spirit and a fight like no other. I was blessed to have known her. She is truly an angel in heaven now and resting in peace. She will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Thank you dear friend for everything!

My heart goes out to the family but know that she is with God now and at peace. She was so young to be taken but I am sending out my blessings to Tony and all her family that truly loved Michelle. God bless and you are really going to be missed by all. bless!

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

I worked with this beautiful person I was blessed to have the opportunity to know. may she rest in peace.