Obituary for Michelle Mary "Shelley" Reichert (LeDonne)
Michelle LeDonne Reichert, a longtime resident of Newtown, CT, passed away peacefully at age 69 on Tuesday August 18, 2020 surrounded by her family. Michelle was born in Bridgeport to Michael (Mickey) LeDonne and Marion Ennaco LeDonne. She was the beloved wife of George Reichert of Newtown, loving mother to Krista LeDonne Reichert of Boston and Erich LeDonne Reichert of Naugatuck, and grandmother to Erich Christian Reichert. She is predeceased by her parents and sister Renee LeDonne of Trumbull. She is survived by her husband, children, grandchild, as well as her brother Michael LeDonne and sister-in-law Margaret Patterson LeDonne of New York City. She will be forever in the hearts of her cherished and devoted family.
Michelle (Shelley) grew up in Bridgeport where she spent time helping with her family's business, LeDonne's Music Box and attended St. Charles School and St. Joseph's School in Trumbull. She went on to earn an A.S in Interior Design from Endicott College, a B.A in Art Education from the University of Bridgeport, a M.S. in Media from Fairfield University, and a Masters Certificate in Contract Management from George Washington University. Michelle was a strong and creative business woman with vast talents, and who approached every endeavor with passion and enthusiasm. She was the President of Concept Development and Construction Corporation, which she co-founded with her Architect husband, George. Together they built custom homes and retail stores across the country and Michelle was recognized for her thoroughness and for her demanding skill in the management of complex construction projects. She went on to consult in project and contract management for Bruce Bennett Nissan, Fuel Cell Energy, and Diageo Corporation. Late in life she developed and passionately ran Clean Suites, an eco-friendly cleaning company, now run by her son, Erich. Michelle saw herself foremost as a teacher and always said that the skills she gained in the classroom gave her the ability to succeed in all of her other careers. She served as an art teacher for elementary and middle school children in Newtown, Bethel, Trumbull, CT and Mamaronek, NY. She also taught trade-related blueprint reading at Abbott Technical School and Naugatuck Valley Community College. She was an adjunct professor in Cinema at the University of Bridgeport.
She enjoyed the small adventures in life, such as taking daytrips around Connecticut to discover or revisit treasured places with her husband and children. She was very knowledgeable about art and was a collector of decorative arts and antiques her whole life. She was also a film buff. She loved her home and the memories she helped create. She orchestrated family events with enthusiasm to insure that everyone had a memorable time and had amazing culinary skills, which she gleefully passed down to her children and grandson.
Michelle was known to have a big heart and caring disposition as well as a feisty personality. Those who knew Shelley would attest to her brave nature, her unwavering character, her honesty, integrity, warmth, and grit. Most of all, Michelle is remembered by her family for the way she worked tirelessly to insure their happiness with seemingly boundless energy. She was always a safe harbor in roughest of water and could be relied on to quickly and effectively help her loved ones in any situation. Everyone who encountered Michelle was well aware that she had a marvelous laugh, which she would employ easily and often. Her enthusiasm for life and happiness was infectious, instilling in her children and grandson a deeper appreciation for a wonderful quality of life. She joyfully lived for her family and in return they reveled in her company. She will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday 12 September 2020, 2:00-5:00 pm, at Honan Funeral Home 58 Main Street, Newtown, CT https://www.honanfh.com
Michelle (Shelley) grew up in Bridgeport where she spent time helping with her family's business, LeDonne's Music Box and attended St. Charles School and St. Joseph's School in Trumbull. She went on to earn an A.S in Interior Design from Endicott College, a B.A in Art Education from the University of Bridgeport, a M.S. in Media from Fairfield University, and a Masters Certificate in Contract Management from George Washington University. Michelle was a strong and creative business woman with vast talents, and who approached every endeavor with passion and enthusiasm. She was the President of Concept Development and Construction Corporation, which she co-founded with her Architect husband, George. Together they built custom homes and retail stores across the country and Michelle was recognized for her thoroughness and for her demanding skill in the management of complex construction projects. She went on to consult in project and contract management for Bruce Bennett Nissan, Fuel Cell Energy, and Diageo Corporation. Late in life she developed and passionately ran Clean Suites, an eco-friendly cleaning company, now run by her son, Erich. Michelle saw herself foremost as a teacher and always said that the skills she gained in the classroom gave her the ability to succeed in all of her other careers. She served as an art teacher for elementary and middle school children in Newtown, Bethel, Trumbull, CT and Mamaronek, NY. She also taught trade-related blueprint reading at Abbott Technical School and Naugatuck Valley Community College. She was an adjunct professor in Cinema at the University of Bridgeport.
She enjoyed the small adventures in life, such as taking daytrips around Connecticut to discover or revisit treasured places with her husband and children. She was very knowledgeable about art and was a collector of decorative arts and antiques her whole life. She was also a film buff. She loved her home and the memories she helped create. She orchestrated family events with enthusiasm to insure that everyone had a memorable time and had amazing culinary skills, which she gleefully passed down to her children and grandson.
Michelle was known to have a big heart and caring disposition as well as a feisty personality. Those who knew Shelley would attest to her brave nature, her unwavering character, her honesty, integrity, warmth, and grit. Most of all, Michelle is remembered by her family for the way she worked tirelessly to insure their happiness with seemingly boundless energy. She was always a safe harbor in roughest of water and could be relied on to quickly and effectively help her loved ones in any situation. Everyone who encountered Michelle was well aware that she had a marvelous laugh, which she would employ easily and often. Her enthusiasm for life and happiness was infectious, instilling in her children and grandson a deeper appreciation for a wonderful quality of life. She joyfully lived for her family and in return they reveled in her company. She will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday 12 September 2020, 2:00-5:00 pm, at Honan Funeral Home 58 Main Street, Newtown, CT https://www.honanfh.com