Michele Mikus of New Kensington did everything she could to live by the motto, “work hard, play hard,” her family and friends said.
Whether at her job, on the golf course or in the company of friends, she made the most of every second, had fun and made fun for others, they said.
“She just loved life,” said her spouse, Kimberly Morrison. “She had a zest for life.”
Michele Mikus of New Kensington, formerly of Shaler, died Monday, June 22, 2015, during a lengthy illness. She was 52.
“She was amazing,” said Michelle Bruzzese of Moon, who described herself as more her friend than her boss at Allstates WorldCargo, where Ms. Mikus worked as an account executive for 18 years.
“She had an amazing relationship with her customers. She had such an accepting, positive attitude with everything she did, including work,” Bruzzese said.
She was the daughter of Richard G. Cunningham Sr. of Jamestown in Mercer County and the late Jeraldine Cunningham.
She and Morrison met about 24 years ago through mutual friends, lived together and were married in January 2014 in Deep Creek, Md., after that state recognized same-sex marriage.
“It's so very, very good for our love to be recognized,” Morrison said. “It's a hard one to put into words. It was so very meaningful to be able to recognize our love.”
Ms. Mikus' attitude about life made her fun to be around, Morrison said.
“She was never down. She was always positive, always courageous and positive. And she always had a smile on her face,” she said.
Ms. Mikus often joked, even at doctor appointments, that she was 36. She did look younger than her age, Morrison said.
“Everyone just teased her, ‘What's your age?' She'd say, ‘36,' ” Morrison recalled.
A skilled athlete, Ms. Mikus regularly won golf trophies and was a highly sought-after player for any foursome, especially for a team that wanted to win and have fun doing it, Morrison said.
“She loved to travel and sought beautiful places,” Morrison said. She went to Italy to find long-lost relatives and paraglided from mountains in Austria.
“She was the most generous, kind person you would ever encounter,” said Mary Sue Ramsden, a friend for about 30 years. “To her last breath, she was always thinking of other people rather than herself.”
“She touched so many lives,” Bruzzese said. “She's going to be missed. The memories are all fond memories, and some of the best memories of my life were with Michele.”
In addition to her father, she is survived by a sister, Denise Cunningham Hotaling and husband, Brian, of Alabama, and a brother, Richard G. Cunningham Jr. of Reserve.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in McCabe Bros. Inc. Funeral Home, 6214 Walnut St., Shadyside.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in Mt. St. Peter Church, New Kensington.
Memorial donations may be made to A Pink Tie Affair or Mt. St. Peter Church.
Bob Stiles is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-836-6622 or bstiles@tribweb.com.
