Michelle M. Vinoski

DULUTH, Minn. - Michelle M. Vinoski, 49, of Superior, Wis., formerly of Ironwood, Mich., passed away peacefully after a brief illness, Thursday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2016, at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, with her family at her side.

Michelle was born on Sept. 10, 1966, in Elkins, W.Va., a daughter of Edward and Dooley (Cosgrove) Vinoski. She moved to Ironwood with her family in 1969. Michelle attended Ironwood Catholic High School and graduated in 1984. After high school, she pursued an elementary education degree from Northern Michigan University focusing on English and mathematics, which she completed in 1989. She received her master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 2011. At the time of her death, her Ph.D. work was ongoing.

Michelle started her career teaching at St. Jude Catholic School in Green Bay, Wis., and then was a middle school math teacher and assistant principal at Cathedral School in Superior. Throughout her teaching, coaching was her way of bringing her love of sports to her students. She held various positions and was currently the academic coordinator of the McNair Scholars Program at UW-Superior.

Michelle's personality filled every room she entered. She had a special knack for welcoming people into her life, making them feel instantly like family. Michelle was priceless.

Michelle is survived by her parents, Ed and Dooley, Ironwood; five siblings, John (Theresa) Vinoski, Green Bay, Lucy Korhonen, Crystal Falls, Mich., Steve (Cindy) Vinoski, Chelmsford, Mass., Jim (Volita) Vinoski, Grandville, Mich., and Rich (Carla) Vinoski, Green Bay; her brother-in-law, Leroy Moats, Staunton, Va .; numerous nieces and nephews, each one holding a very special place in her heart; in addition aunts, uncles and cousins whom she adored. Michelle is further survived by her Superior "Framily" and her students whom she intensely believed in and never gave up on.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Teresa Moats, on April 29, 2014; her brother-in-law, Gene Korhonen, on May 30, 2013; her grandparents; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Aug. 30, at 11 a.m., preceded by memorial visitation in the St. Joseph Family Room at 9 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich, celebrant.

Luncheon will be served in the church hall following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the family for the establishment of a scholarship for the McNair Scholars Program in the name of Michelle Vinoski.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner-manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, Mich. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.