Obituary of Nell A. Michalik

Annella (Nell) A. Michalik, 103, a coal miner’s daughter, died peacefully on December 17, 2020 at Manchester Manor.  She was the wife of the late Joseph M. Michalik and the daughter of the late Martha and Paul Beleskie.

Nell was born and raised in Shenandoah, PA, a bustling borough in the early 1900’s and center of the anthracite coal-mining region of eastern PA.  She told us children that her father would take her and her brothers and sisters on walks up to Shenandoah Heights where blueberries waited to be picked and eaten.  We inherited this love of blueberries.

She and Joe married in July 1945, just as soon as Joe returned to the States from the European theater of WWII.  They settled in Hartford and later moved to Manchester where they raised their family.  Nell made those around her feel important.  She always found time for little talks with her grandchildren even in the midst of large and boisterous gatherings.  Throughout her life she sent countless letters and notes of encouragement and congratulations to her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and everyone else in her life. 

A devoted daughter, sister, mother, wife and friend she is survived by her daughter Carol Whitney and husband Dale of Vernon, her son John and wife Ellen of Glastonbury, her son Jim and wife Betsy of Knoxville, TN, her son Tom of Manchester, and her sister Alma Kriksciun of Vista, CA.  Her brothers George, Anthony and Albert and her sister Veronica Juselis predeceased her.

She also leaves nine grandchildren, Susan Bezzina and husband Chris, Karen Turner and husband Pat, Nathan Michalik and wife Katie, Joe Michalik and wife Katherine, Sam Michalik and wife Layna, Julie Cochran and husband Zach, Matt Michalik and wife Sarah Hope, David Michalik, and Michael Michalik as well as twenty-two (and counting) great grandchildren.

We cannot thank enough the staff of Manchester Manor for their tender care of our mother over the past seven years.  You are all angels.

Due to health concerns associated with the ongoing pandemic there will be no calling hours and funeral and burial services will be private.  Nell, a lifelong communicant of St. James R.C. Church, will be buried in St. James Cemetery. John F. Tierney Funeral Home, Manchester, CT is entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Nell’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut Chapter, 96 Oak St., Hartford, CT 06106 or a charity of one’s choice.  For online condolences, please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.