Mrs. Michelle "Mickey" Whalley

June 2, 1941 - October 7, 2018

Mrs. Michelle "Mickey" Whalley, 77, of Pittsfield passed away on Sunday, October 7, 2018 at Berkshire Medical Center. She was born Michelle Veilleux on June 2, 1941 in New Bedford MA to Leo R Veilleux and Clara E Blaha Veilleux Michelle attended Sacred Hearts Academy thru grade 9 then on to graduate from Fairhaven High School. She went for her degree in speech pathology at Boston University and completed her master's education at the University of Connecticut. Michelle started her professional career as a speech pathologist in the New Bedford Public Schools and Bloomfield Connecticut school system. Upon moving back to western Massachusetts, she worked in many schools in Berkshire County: Richmond School, Lanesborough Elementary School, Clarksburg, and Hancock elementary schools, Avalon, High Point and the Kolburne School. Michelle formally retired in June of 2004 but did continue working part time. Other work endeavors included CREC programs in Connecticut, various hospital clinics, private practice and consultant work. Throughout her career, she helped countless students build their self-confidence and skills to better express themselves and communicate with others. Michelle had across time volunteered to work with several community organizations which included church groups, school committees, cub and boy scouts, and charity organizations. For a long while Michelle was involved with the Brien Center as a board member, acting on the advisory committee for the Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association and the Richmond VNA assembly. She gave selflessly of her time no matter what she was involved in. She would help people no matter where she went. And when people would often come to her asking for help, she would never question the sincerity of their need. Instead she would always look for the good in people and focused entirely on that. She had an incredible empathy for others and her love for people was always unconditional. Michelle has enjoyed various interests across the years which includes reading, crossword puzzles, the ocean, antique and yard sales and especially travel. She was open to new ideas and experiences. All her life she has been involved with arts and crafts and loved to do shows. Her creations include herbal wreaths and dried arrangements, then on to create pressed flower pictures and mirrors which her husband Hal helped with making the framework. She took numerous educational art classes in her life and was knowledgeable with primitive oil and reverse painting. Most recently, Michelle has been creating graphic art with her angel prints which has given her great joy. She published her first book Angel Whispers with her poems and illustrations. She also illustrated for a book Simple Things. One of her greatest joys in life was spending time with her family. Later in her life, she especially enjoyed reading to and making up stories with her two granddaughters. The three of them would harness their great imaginations and spend hours collaborating on art-drawing, coloring, creating and most of all laughing. She leaves two beautiful granddaughters Klara and Hanna, her loving husband Harold of 50 years, her beloved son Trey and dear daughter in law Monika. A beloved sister Mary-Ellen and dear brothers Stephen and Douglas, a dear brother in law Jarry, a sister in law Joyce, nieces Nicole and Eliza, nephews Evan, Adam, Douglas, with grandnieces, grandnephew and many cousins. Dearest friends Jackie, Nona, Christine, Fran, Ginny, Wanda, Bonnie, Suzanne, Bert and Louena. Funeral Notice: Calling hours for Mrs. Michelle Whalley will be at the funeral home on Monday, October 15, 2018 from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at 10 a.m. from the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield, MA, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Mark's Church, celebrated by the Rev. Christopher Fedoryshyn, Administrator. Burial will be the following Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Fairhaven MA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Brien Center, care of the Dwyer Funeral Home in her memory.DONATIONS CANNOT BE MADE ONLINE, but may be made through the Dwyer Funeral Home.