April
19,
1946
19,
1946
December
14,
2020
14,
2020
C. Diane Michelitsch
PORT ALLEGANY –C. Diane Michelitsch, passed away Monday, (December 14, 2020) at Hamot Hospital in Erie, Pa. from complications of COVID 19.
Born on April 19, 1946 in Coudersport, she was the daughter of Stanley A. and Sarah G. Losey Dow. On May 7, 1966 in St. Gabriels’s Catholic Church in Port Allegany she married Donald Joseph (Joe) Michelitsch who survives.
Diane graduated from Port Allegany High School in 1964 where she made many lifelong friends. She had fond memories of participating in Chorus and the Swimming and Diving teams where she excelled in diving competitions.
She worked in retail throughout her life – before her marriage, at Lucy’s Jewelers and the 7 and 9 Shop in Olean and then, in Port Allegany, at the Michelitsch Dairy Store, Beck’s Store and, significantly, at Rite Aid for almost twenty years until her retirement.
Diane had the special grace of enjoying the simple but meaningful things in life such as watching the birds at her kitchen bird feeder, catching up with a friend through a phone call or over a cup of coffee, playing a game of Scrabble on her laptop, or going for a ride on country roads with Joe.
Through her pleasant personality and kind nature she made friends easily and, more important, retained and valued those friendships throughout her life.
Of course, Diane’s greatest joy was spending time with Joe and their children Mark Joseph of Port Allegany and Dr. Melissa Danielle (James) Selvidge of Berkeley, California and grandchildren, Ryan Michael (Michelle) Michelitsch of Jonestown, Pennsylvania and Donald Joseph (D.J. ) Michelitsch of Port Allegany.
Diane and Joe have always had a special relationship with Chautauqua Lake where they began vacationing fifty years ago. Over the years, they and their children and grandchildren had great fun with their boats and jet skis. In their retirement they spent their summers at Chautauqua Campgrounds enjoying a relaxed lifestyle that included welcoming good friends and family. Diane treasured her wonderful Chautauqua Lake friends and their nightly card games.
Tragically, Diane’s mother, Sarah, 95, lost her battle with COVID two weeks ago in a nursing home in Hazelton, Pa.
In addition to her parents, Diane was predeceased by her step-mother, Marie Leapal Dow; her step- aunt, Patricia Leapal Treat; and a sister, Janice Dinger.
In addition to her husband, children and grandchildren, Diane is survived by two sisters, Lynda (James) Knight of Punta Gorda, Florida and Sharon Harvey of Titusville, Pa; brother and sister- in-law Duane and Mary Gregg; one uncle, Dale Phenesie of Ellicott, City, Md., numerous cousins and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Switzer Funeral Home. Because of the COVID pandemic no visitation or services will be scheduled at this time. The family looks forward to greeting friends and family at a memorial service in the future when we can all gather safely.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Port Allegany Ambulance Association or Port Allegany Fire Department or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Condolences can be made to: D. Joseph Michelitsch
112 Skinner Creek Rd.
Port Allegany, PA. 16743
PORT ALLEGANY –C. Diane Michelitsch, passed away Monday, (December 14, 2020) at Hamot Hospital in Erie, Pa. from complications of COVID 19.
Born on April 19, 1946 in Coudersport, she was the daughter of Stanley A. and Sarah G. Losey Dow. On May 7, 1966 in St. Gabriels’s Catholic Church in Port Allegany she married Donald Joseph (Joe) Michelitsch who survives.
Diane graduated from Port Allegany High School in 1964 where she made many lifelong friends. She had fond memories of participating in Chorus and the Swimming and Diving teams where she excelled in diving competitions.
She worked in retail throughout her life – before her marriage, at Lucy’s Jewelers and the 7 and 9 Shop in Olean and then, in Port Allegany, at the Michelitsch Dairy Store, Beck’s Store and, significantly, at Rite Aid for almost twenty years until her retirement.
Diane had the special grace of enjoying the simple but meaningful things in life such as watching the birds at her kitchen bird feeder, catching up with a friend through a phone call or over a cup of coffee, playing a game of Scrabble on her laptop, or going for a ride on country roads with Joe.
Through her pleasant personality and kind nature she made friends easily and, more important, retained and valued those friendships throughout her life.
Of course, Diane’s greatest joy was spending time with Joe and their children Mark Joseph of Port Allegany and Dr. Melissa Danielle (James) Selvidge of Berkeley, California and grandchildren, Ryan Michael (Michelle) Michelitsch of Jonestown, Pennsylvania and Donald Joseph (D.J. ) Michelitsch of Port Allegany.
Diane and Joe have always had a special relationship with Chautauqua Lake where they began vacationing fifty years ago. Over the years, they and their children and grandchildren had great fun with their boats and jet skis. In their retirement they spent their summers at Chautauqua Campgrounds enjoying a relaxed lifestyle that included welcoming good friends and family. Diane treasured her wonderful Chautauqua Lake friends and their nightly card games.
Tragically, Diane’s mother, Sarah, 95, lost her battle with COVID two weeks ago in a nursing home in Hazelton, Pa.
In addition to her parents, Diane was predeceased by her step-mother, Marie Leapal Dow; her step- aunt, Patricia Leapal Treat; and a sister, Janice Dinger.
In addition to her husband, children and grandchildren, Diane is survived by two sisters, Lynda (James) Knight of Punta Gorda, Florida and Sharon Harvey of Titusville, Pa; brother and sister- in-law Duane and Mary Gregg; one uncle, Dale Phenesie of Ellicott, City, Md., numerous cousins and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Switzer Funeral Home. Because of the COVID pandemic no visitation or services will be scheduled at this time. The family looks forward to greeting friends and family at a memorial service in the future when we can all gather safely.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Port Allegany Ambulance Association or Port Allegany Fire Department or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Condolences can be made to: D. Joseph Michelitsch
112 Skinner Creek Rd.
Port Allegany, PA. 16743
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