Michele T. Cehelsky

Our beloved mother, aunt, and grandmother, Michele, graduated from Moon High School in 1968 and continued her education and training at Presbyterian University Hospital School of Radiology in Pittsburgh. She became a registered Radiologic Technologist and devoted over 34 years to the profession.

Her career as an X-ray technician began in the emergency departments at “Presby and Children’s” in the late 60s and early 70s. The work was physically and mentally demanding. The medical cases and patients affected her deeply, and she never missed a chance to share how much had changed over the years for the betterment of her patients’ lives.

She married Ed Cehelsky in 1972, put her career on hold, and directed every ounce of her energy to building a life filled with love and opportunities for their children, Jessica and Ed. Gregarious, happy, and full of life, Michele easily made friends with neighbors and through card clubs and bowling leagues, and most importantly, by being loyal, compassionate, and always willing to listen. She took on odd jobs to pay for prom dresses and basketball shoes, and loved spending her free time with family, and telling stories to make others laugh. Her gentle nature and her wit and laughter and her perpetual smiles are what we treasured the most.

In the 1990’s she returned to her career in radiology, where she managed the Thorn Run Outpatient Radiology Center in Moon and was the lead technologist specializing in orthopedic procedures. Her path took her next to MAIN Medical Inc., where she rose from Regional Manager to Director of Imaging Services. Michele was a tireless employee, dedicated leader, and above all, a patient advocate. She had the gift of prioritizing the comfort of patients while balancing the needs of the staff. Efficiency and empathy were her strengths. She was proud to work in her hometown where she could serve her friends and neighbors. Some of her closest friends were former patients and co-workers from this time in her life.

In 2001, she became a widow at 50 when lung cancer took Ed. Michele refused to lose all that they had worked so hard to achieve; she was determined to keep the home and life that they had created together. She maintained her non-stop work ethic and drive.

Michele’s life’s work of technological and management experience in diagnostic imaging services culminated in 2006, when she became the Radiology Coordinator at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. While managing the expansion of Magee’s specialized radiology department into a comprehensive medical-surgical unit was a key professional achievement, she was proud to share that she was able to simply take the elevator upstairs to witness the birth of her first grandson, Jack. After UPMC, she could not totally leave the health care profession and worked as a Systems Coordinator/Analyst at Union Orthotics and Prosthetics in Lawrenceville, PA, until she retired in 2017.

Michele’s story is not complete without expressing how fiercely she loved and cared about her family. While her heart always belonged to Ed, she had so much love to give her children and their spouses, her beloved grandchildren, her sister and nephews. Michele kept track of \everyone’s schedules, always showed up to support their academic, athletic, and musical events, and hosted Thanksgiving dinners with great pride and love.

Despite her battle with breast cancer, thyroid issues, struggles with arthritis, and a complicated total knee replacement, Michele loved going to her water fitness classes at the Sewickley YMCA, concerts in the local parks, cruise and beach vacations, casinos, and dinner and drinks with friends. Most importantly she never lost that beautiful smile and warmth.

Michele was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, an aggressive blood cancer, in October 2025. She bravely underwent 8 rounds of chemotherapy and countless platelet and blood transfusions (oftentimes driving herself) and lived independently in the house she called home, the same one she and her beloved husband, Ed, enjoyed together in Moon Township for over 40 years, until contracting pneumonia and a blood infection.

After a 21-day hospital stay where she boldly fought and refused to give up, Michele passed away on September 15th, surrounded by her immediate family.

Michele is predeceased by her parents, Robert and Rita Trimber, her brother, Robert Trimber, and husband, Ed Cehelsky. She is survived by her children, Jessica (Scott) and Ed (Katie) and grandchildren Jack, Elena, Greyson, Ethan and Levi, and sister Mary Beth (Nick).

On behalf of Michele, the family wishes to express extreme gratitude to the staff at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Moon, the IV Team, Medical Treatment, and Progressive Care 7 West Units at AHN Sewickley, and Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford. Michele will join Ed at Resurrection Cemetery in Moon with a private service. Details regarding a gathering to celebrate Michele’s life with family and friends will be shared at a later date.

Donations can be made in Michele’s memory at https://givenow.bloodcancerunited.org/campaign/717321/donate