Obituary of Michelle Cassidy MacNaught

DeLANCEY Michelle Cassidy MacNaught, 21, left this Earth to be with the angels on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. Michelle gracefully and courageously battled ovarian cancer for the past 13 months. Her final days were spent surrounded by her friends and family, sharing laughter and memories. Michelle was born Sept. 22, 1990, in Cooperstown, the beloved daughter of Mary MacNaught of DeLancey and John MacNaught of Delhi. She graduated with honors from Delaware Academy in Delhi in 2008, where she participated in orchestra, field hockey, softball and track. Her art work can be found on many walls throughout the school. She was a member of the Bagley Brook Buddies 4-H Club and won many honors. She was a senior in the printmaking program at SUNY Purchase where she spent many hours practicing and perfecting her art. She recently worked at the Tree of Life Foundry and the Delaware Trading Post in Andes. She was fortunate to have traveled to Spain, Switzerland, Holland, Italy, California, Arizona, Florida and Cape Cod. Michelle was a gifted young artist and on Nov. 15th, an exhibition of her work was held at the Leo Koenig Gallery in New York City. Michelle showed the world her talent, raised awareness of cancer and was able to attend the event along with over 300 of her friends and family. A book of her show, "Michelle MacNaught, Works on Paper" is being sold to benefit ovarian cancer research. Michelle's work has also been showcased at The Gallery at Leilani's in Oneonta, and at SUNY Purchase. Michelle lived her life with spirit, courage, and determination. She was an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing her and taught us that it's the way you live life that makes the difference. Michelle is cherished by the following survivors, her mother and fiance, Mary MacNaught and Gordon Tyler Jr.; her father, John MacNaught and his companion, Lori Brunetti; her brother, John Matthew MacNaught at home; her cat, Moonlight who was constantly by her side providing healing purrs and caresses; Jeffrey and Steven Tyler of Treadwell; and her grandmother, Mary Eckert of DeLancey. She leaves her best friends, Zachary Meehan of Hamden and Katie Darling of Delhi; and all her friends at SUNY Purchase. She is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. She was predeceased by her grandparents, John Eckert, Joyce and Malcolm MacNaught Sr.; and her cousin, Kevin Reichert. Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, at the Delhi Alliance Church, 16178 State Highway 28, Delhi, NY 13753. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, also at the church. A graveside service will follow in the Andes Cemetery, Andes. Donations in Michelle's memory may be made to Catskill Area Hospice, 116 Main St., Delhi, NY 13753, the Ronald McDonald House New York, 405 East 73rd St., New York, NY 10021, or the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for Ovarian Cancer Research, 1275 York Ave., New York, NY 10065. Condolences for the family can be left online at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are by the MacArthur Funeral Home of Delhi.