Michelle Marie Moran

MIDDLETON -Michelle Moran, age 56, passed away early on Friday, March 4, 2011, at HospiceCare in Fitchburg. She was born on December 6, 1954, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Ralph and Rita (Knoebel) Moran. Michelle graduated from Beloit College in 1978 and received her Master's in Social Work from the University of Illinois in Champaign, Urbana in 1994. Michelle lived in a variety of places during her life and eventually established a home, a career, and life-long friends in Madison. She joined The Psychology Center in 1995 and developed a thriving practice that included AODA, EAP, consultation, and couples work. Michelle had a passion for knowledge-everything from building a garage, creating stained glass windows, figuring out computer systems, thinking about how the world works, traveling, sailing, biking, kayaking, and camping along the shores of Lake Superior. For all of Michelle's life, she enjoyed the company of Boxers: her dogs were her close companions and all were well loved. The Boxers who preceded her in death were Dagmar, Shahla, Shiloh, Kayla, and Kinlee. She is survived by her beloved Boxer, Koby, for whom she has found a loving new home with a family in Illinois. Michelle is most remembered for her brilliant mind and her generous heart. She will be missed by more friends that we can ever name, and has profoundly helped more clients and touched more families than we can ever imagine. Michelle was preceded in death by her sister, Gail Moran, her mother Rita (Knoebel) Moran, her father Ralph Thurston Moran, and her nephew Levi Moran. She is survived by her brother Dave (Pat) Moran, her nephew Tim (Patricia) Moran, their children Nathan, Kyler and Kelsey; and her nephew Michael (Kelli) Moran, their children Matthew, Krystal and Katrina; and her sister Judy Bower. A memorial visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton from 1 p.m until 4 p.m on Sunday, March 6, 2011. People are invited to share their memories of Michelle at 2:00 p.m. Memorials may be made in Michelle's memory to the HospiceCare, Inc. Memorials: Memorials may be made in Michelle's memory to the HospiceCare, Inc. Visitation: A memorial visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton from 1 p.m until 4 p.m on Sunday, March 6, 2011. Service: People are invited to share their memories of Michelle at 2:00 p.m.