Michelle C. Gillett

Michelle Gillett, poet and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, died in her home on February 11, 2016. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in November of 2015.
Michelle was born in New York City on January 3, 1948. Her parents were Phyllis and Paul Cherney and she grew up in Hartsdale, New York. Michelle graduated from Skidmore College in 1969 and earned her MFA in poetry from the Warren Wilson College Program for Writers. In 1980 she was honored as the recipient of the Massachusetts Artists Foundation Poetry Fellowship. Michelle also received the Massachusetts Cultural Council Poetry Finalist Award in 1984, 1987, 1990 and 1994. In 2003 she was awarded the Backwater Press Poetry Book Prize.
Teaching, writing and art were Michelle's passions. Her love of language was as infectious as was her enjoyment of teaching. She was the writing instructor at Austen Riggs from 1978 to 1984. She then went on to teach English at Miss Hall’s School from 1984 to 1995. She was the editor of the Women’s Times from 1995 to 2000. For 15 years beginning in 2000, Michelle taught private writing workshops from her home which she especially enjoyed. She guided her students with wisdom, patience and purpose and had a gift for helping students articulate their ideas and in many cases publish their own work. Michelle nurtured and motivated her writing students, just as she inspired her two daughters whom she adored.
Michelle’s writing appeared in many publications. She wrote articles, editorials and columns for a variety of newspapers, magazines and newsletters. Her feature articles and opinion columns ranged widely in their themes: from gardening and cooking, to commentary on current events and worldwide social issues. Michelle was a columnist for The Berkshire Eagle for over 30 years. Readers of The Eagle and people across the country looked forward to reading her biweekly column that featured her opinions and thoughtful observations.
A renowned and celebrated poet, Michelle was most at home when she was composing her poems. In addition to receiving numerous poetry awards, she has had several books published: Rock and Spindle by Mad River Press, 1998; Blinding the Goldfinches by The Backwater Press , 2005, and The Green Cottage by Ledge Publishing, 2011. When commenting about Michelle’s poetry in Blinding the Goldfinches , Hayden Carruth wrote, “What one finds in these poems is the truth. It’s as simple as that. No frills from the workshop, no ostentatious diction or imagery, but only the firm, quiet enterprise of authenticity.” Michelle’s most recent book, Coming About , will be published in 2017 by Salmon Poetry. Michelle was also a talented painter and artist. She loved painting in her studio on Railroad Street and her paintings have been in several group exhibitions throughout Berkshire County.
Michelle was devoted to the Berkshire community, and she proudly accepted a sense of cultural responsibility for the places she treasured. She cared deeply for others and she was supportive of the arts. She volunteered her time in many different ways, serving on several boards and organizations over the years. She was a longtime member of the Lenox Garden Club and the Blue Stockings and volunteered with the Good Dog Foundation, working at Muddy Brook Elementary School. For 15 years, Michelle served on The Norman Rockwell Board of Directors during the development at their new location. She was also active with the Olga Dunn Dance Company Advisory Board, the Stockbridge Library and the First Congregational Church of Stockbridge.
Michelle had a wonderful sense of humor and an uncanny ability to bring people together, often paving the way for new and lasting friendships. Michelle loved working in her garden and taking long walks with her dogs, Mac and Essay. She was a curious observer of her surroundings and she loved to read as much as she loved to write and paint. Michelle always found a way to make the world more beautiful and she dedicated her life to helping people find their voice. Her creative spirit and endless generosity will be missed by everyone who knew her.
Michelle lived in Stockbridge, Massachusetts with her husband of 46 years, Chuck Gillett. Michelle and Chuck have two daughters, Erin Gillett of El Cerrito, California and Lisa Gillett of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and sons-in-law Scott Bretall and Blue Soroos and grandchildren Lucy, Fritz and Isabel. She also is survived by her three sisters, Liz Gordon of California, Sara Evans of New York City and Gerry McElroy of South Carolina, as well as her brothers and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews. Everyone’s care, support and prayers were a source of profound comfort for Michelle and her family during her illness.
The memorial for Michelle Gillett will be Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Stockbridge, 4 Main Street, Stockbridge.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the First Congregational Church of Stockbridge, The Jimmy Fund or Four Way Books c/o Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.