Michelle R (Woodward) Strati

Michelle Renee (Woodward) Strati, 58, of Union, Michigan, passed away on November 29, 2022, surrounded by family and friends in her home.

Michelle (Chelle) was born on July 2, 1964, to Chuck and Sue (Butcher) Woodward in Elkhart, Indiana. Chelle was a proud graduate of Elkhart Memorial High School, class of 1982. After high school she attended Manchester College and graduated with a degree in accounting, class of 1986. She then went on to get her teaching certificate (with a Kindergarten endorsement) at IU South Bend. On November 19, 1988, she married her best friend and high school sweetheart, Alex, in Elkhart. She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Alex Strati Jr, loving children Aubrey (Bobby) Grossnickle of Indianapolis, Noah (Alix) Strati of Westfield, Samantha (Tristen) Singleton of Mishawaka; grandchildren Charlee Ruth Strati and Jude Alexander Grossnickle with another baby girl Grossnickle on the way due in May; Mother Sharon “Sue” Woodward of North Fort Myers, FL and a sister Rachel Woodward of Elkhart.

Michelle was preceded in death by her father, Charles “Chuck” Woodward in March 2018.

After finishing her teaching certificate Chelle took a job with Hawthorne Elementary School in Elkhart where she spent 20 years teaching Kindergarten, influencing, shaping, and mentoring over 450 children. During and after teaching Chelle enjoyed her dream job of raising three children and being a wife. Chelle had many passions including cooking, traveling, spending time with family, being a nana, faith, laughing, living the lake life, gourmet girls, board games, party planning, holidays, birthdays, Notre Dame, Chicago Cubs, Indiana Hoosiers, and The Green Bay Packers.

One of Chelle’s greatest joys in life was being at a beach or on water. In 2016 Chelle and Alex lived out their dream and bought their first lake house on Indiana Lake in Union, Michigan. After a few years of work related moves they found themselves back on Indiana Lake in their dream home in July 2021.

Although cancer took Chelle’s life, when you die, that does not mean you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live. Chelle lived her life always looking forward with a big heart, a giant smile, endless love, optimism, and constant laughter. Chelle is gone entirely too soon but the impact she had on so many people will never be forgotten. As a family we will continue to honor her dash the best we can by continuing to live #ChelleStrong.

Visitation will be Tuesday December 6 at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman funeral home in Elkhart, Indiana from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM (rosary at 7:15 PM). Funeral mass will be Wednesday December 7 at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, visitation at 9:30 AM, funeral mass at 10:30 AM. Private graveside service will be held at a later date.

As a way to honor Michelle, help fund research for a cure, and support others affected by this rare and deadly disease please consider donating to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. Approximately 6,000 people are affected by this rare disease each year, worldwide.  Donations in memory of Michelle may be made to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation 5526 W. 13400 South #510 Herriman, UT 84096 or by going to https://curecca.link/MichelleStrati.

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