Michelle Pizzi Memorial Scholarship Fund

It is with great sadness and disbelief that we announce the passing of Michelle Yvette Pizzi (Verescak) on the evening of July 1st, 2024, at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, with so much family and friends by her side. Michelle fought a long, courageous battle with cancer, and left us so peacefully at the young age of 53.

About a decade ago, she started her final job as a secretary at St. Patrick High School, a job she truly loved. Here, she met many coworkers who became life long friends. You truly could not go to the school without hearing her incredibly loud voice echoing through the halls, or everyday over the school intercoms. She had the greatest respect for the fellow ladies in the office, and the utmost love for the students of that school.

When diagnosed with an “extremely aggressive” form of cancer, she was determined to fight it with everything she had, and that she did. She fought so hard, for so long. Even the doctors couldn’t believe her determined level and non stop high activity throughout chemotherapy.

Michelle absolutely loved her job at St Patrick High School, and the students were her top priority. Michelle touched many students lives. Michelles children got many messages from current and former students on the impact Michelle has had in their life.

In lieu of flowers, the family has set up this scholarship, the Michelle Pizzi Memorial Scholarship, which will be presented to a Grade 12 Student at St Patrick High School every year, starting in the 2024-2025 school year. Further application criteria will be finalized, but the award will be presented to a student who embodied Michelle and is entering a field of Nursing/Healthcare with the hopes of working in Oncology Nursing/Healthcare.

If friends so desire, a donation to this scholarship can be made here. We will keep Michelle's name and legacy alive. The Pizzi Family cannot express the tremendous support they have received during this difficult time.

Regardless of the dollar amount raised, the Pizzi Family will continue this scholarship every year, forever.

Michelle, we miss you, we love you, and we can't wait to see you again one day.