FUNERAL HOME

Hood Mortuary - Durango

1261 East 3rd Avenue

Durango, Colorado

Therese Michels Obituary

On May 28, 2018 one of Durango's best known and most beloved and appreciated treasures, Therese Michels passed away at the age of 92 years. As a psychoanalyst and interpreter of dreams, Therese spent over 40 years in Durango and her life was marked by a constant dedication to helping others work through their internal patterns of personal conflict. Despite diminishing eyesight and mobility, which marked her last years, she maintained an open door to anyone and everyone seeking help. Refusing money after she retired, she was willing to to accept a tree trim, house cleaning, or any act of kindness in exchange for her time and service, fulfilling her lifelong mission to serve the poor and bring healing to anyone seeking wholeness. For those whose lives she touched we will remain forever in her debt and will always thank the Lord Jesus Christ for her gifts, to whom she always gave credit.

Despite her diminutive stature, her gift of recognizing childhood patterns, even back to pre-verbal abandonment, allowed those she taught to find their lives completely changed. She provided tools for self-awareness and healing in her workbook, The Choice of Transcendence, combined with a 12-week program for practicing a unique method of healing. This program was developed as a result of her counseling 1000's of people and recognizing repetitious patterns that are passed down from generation to generation. Having a gift for analysis and solving puzzles, she saw how many human beings transfer the energy of childhood wounds to others and repeat patterns that keep us locked in cycles, which keep us from growing, loving and living in a more healthy way.

She was a former Catholic nun who never married. Instead of leaving a legacy to children, the insights and skills that she imparted will impact her friends and loved ones for generations. In many ways, she was a parent to anyone whose life she touched and in her passing she'll be confident and pleased to know her lessons will not be disregarded or forgotten. Instead of mourning her passing, Therese would want those who knew her to continue to use and apply the principles in her book and tapes and have them realize that they too are her legacy.

Therese Michels, was born on January 13, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois to Frank and Josephine Michels; she survived her parents, two sisters, and brother. When she was 23, she entered Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters (aka Victory Noll Sisters), an Order to which her elder sister, Florence belonged. Through her Order she created programs for religious education and instruction of teachers in various dioceses in Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico and Colorado as a response to Vatican II. The Order was devoted to religious education and social work, and Therese herself pursued education by earning a B.A. in Sociology, an M.A. in Religious Education and by becoming a certified Psychoanalyst. She served 28 years in the Victory Noll Sisters.

Therese moved to Durango in 1974 where she pursued her calling to psychoanalytic counseling and ministering the broken-hearted. In 2017, Therese received a Lifetime Achievement award from Mental Health Colorado. She had a natural gift for developing programs, something she continued to do until the time of her passing. Thousands of people in La Plata County have benefited from Therese's skill, compassion and generosity.

She is survived by two loving nieces and three loving nephews, Robert McElroy, Eileen McElroy, Nancy Welch, Paul Michels, & James Michels; and many loving friends. In lieu of flowers, please send donations made out to Colorado Lifework Foundation and send to the Bank of Colorado in Durango to help support its on-going work in providing programs and tools from The Choice of Transcedence to our Community.

A public visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 1, 2018, followed by a Recitation of the Rosary to begin at 6:00 p.m. at Hood Mortuary Chapel, 1261 E. Third Avenue, Durango, CO 81301. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Columba Catholic Church located at 1800 E 2nd Ave, Durango, CO 81301. Therese will be laid to rest with her elder sister, Florence, in Greenmount Cemetery in Durango. A lunch reception will follow.

Published by The Durango Herald on May 30, 2018.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Therese Michels

Sponsored by Hood Mortuary - Durango.

Not sure what to say?





3 Entries

Dearest Therese will always hold a special, warm place in my heart, providing support and insight during difficult and painful times.

You were a treasure, a wise mentor and inspirational, providing a guided compass navigating the journey in life and at times, the challenging human condition.

Much love always,
Jan B.
Ennis, MT

Jan Brooks

May 27, 2019

Dear dear Therese was such a wonderful mentor and therapist for me. She truly walked in the light of God. I know you will be dearly missed by all of us and always in our hearts to live our lives wholeheartedly with love and grace.

Jan Brooks

August 16, 2018

As you remember your love one, may your treasured memories continue to bring you peace, comfort, and strength to endure.

June 1, 2018

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results

Make a Donation
in Therese Michels's name

Memorial Events
for Therese Michels

Jun

1

Visitation

3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Hood Mortuary - Durango

1261 East 3rd Avenue, Durango, CO 81301

Jun

1

Rosary

6:00 p.m.

Hood Mortuary - Durango

1261 East 3rd Avenue, Durango, CO 81301

Jun

2

Funeral Mass

10:00 a.m.

St. Columba Catholic Church

1800 E 2nd Ave, Durango, CO 81301

Funeral services provided by:

Hood Mortuary - Durango

1261 East 3rd Avenue, Durango, CO 81301

How to support Therese's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Therese Michels's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sponsored