Obituary of Michelle M. Vivacqua

Michelle M. Vivacqua, 59, of Utica, NY died Saturday, May 14, at home, in the arms of her husband and surrounded by her family. Michelle was born on July 23, 1962, in Ilion, NY. She graduated from Frankfort-Schuyler Central Schools in 1980, where she excelled in athletics and the arts. She earned undergraduate degrees in Fine Arts and Psychology, an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and advanced degrees in School Counseling and Educational Administration. On January 9, 1982, Michelle was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Mark Vivacqua, at St. Mary’s Church in Frankfort. They were blessed with 40 years of unwavering love and affection. Her son Nathan, now of Brooklyn, was born during Michelle’s graduate studies. They shared a deep emotional bond and understood one another in ways even Mark could not fully comprehend. Michelle began her career as a school counselor in the Mohawk Central School District, with the majority of her years as a counselor at Holland Patent Middle and High Schools. She developed expertise in grief counseling and crisis intervention, serving as a regional resource for schools experiencing student death and other crises. In her final years in education, she served as assistant principal at Oneida Herkimer Madison BOCES Career and Technical Education Center, a job which she loved and to which she devoted herself until her retirement. Michelle was a talented artist and crafter, party planner and organizer of family events big and small. She was intensely dedicated to her family and surrounded herself with positive and fun-loving friends. She was devoted to the Blessed Mother and prayed the Rosary often. While the last seven years presented her with the most difficult of journeys, she remained a joyful spirit until her very last day and was an inspiration to all who knew her. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center of New York, NY, who have been so attentive to Michelle’s needs throughout, and Faxton-St. Luke’s Regional Cancer Center, for the compassion and care over these final months. Besides her husband and son, Michelle leaves her parents, Joseph and Barbara Minosh and three siblings, all of Frankfort: James (Terry Ward) Minosh, Rosemarie (Joseph) Salvaggio, and Joseph (Amber) Minosh; her brothers-in-law Salvatore (Clemmie) Vivacqua of Frankfort, Charles (Lisa) Vivacqua of Sylvan Beach, and James (Joan) Vivacqua of Ashburn, VA; nieces and nephews and their children Michael (Rachael) Minosh, Donald and Michael, Matthew (Nicole) Salvaggio, Oliver and Ellie, Alana (Andrew Przestrzelski) Minosh, Zach and Zoe, Daniel Salvaggio, CJ (Tracy) Vivacqua, Tyler and Alex, Jeremy (Jessica) Vivacqua, Conner and Caleb, and Maxwell Vivacqua; several aunts, uncles, cousins, godchildren and close friends. Friends and relatives are invited to attend visitation on Thursday afternoon, May 19, 2022 from 4:00PM – 7:00PM at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000. Michelle’s funeral service will commence on Friday morning, May 20, 2022, at 9:30AM at the funeral home and at 10:30AM at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church in Frankfort where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by her cousin, Rev. Francis Vivacqua. For those wishing to do so, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Michelle’s memory to the MVHS Foundation, ATTN: Cancer Center, 1676 Sunset Avenue, Utica, NY 13502. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The final entry in Michelle’s journal, in her own words: Do Not Waiver “When I wander through life driven by powerful instincts, may the Lord head me on my path. May His light conquer hate and fear and the Angels help me along the way. When I wander alone, apart from those I love. When I cannot see my future. May the Angels show me compassion, stop my fears, and head me home. When the brilliance of wisdom dawns, may I know fearlessness and bravery. When the form of the Lord arises, may I be bold and fearless in recognizing Him. May the Angels who guide me dispel my suffering. This I pray, with reverence and faith.” Michelle’s family has entrusted her final wishes to Funeral Directors Harry and Kevin Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com.