Michelle Linda (Tunkel) Roth

Michelle Linda Roth born December 1, 1944, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 10, 2022 surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Leon S. and Lillian Tunkel.

Michelle graduated Mohonasen Central School in 1962, and attended Plattsburgh State University, graduating in 1966 with her BS and RN degrees. While at Plattsburgh she was a sorority member of Alpha Kappa Phi (AGO). The nursing program was small, and she maintained+ a close friendship with the nurses in the program, by helping organize semi-yearly reunions and trips.

She started her career as a school nurse / teacher in Hicksville, LI, then East Greenbush School System, and Lebanon Valley School System. She moved on from being a school nurse and started working at Leonard Hospital in Lansingburgh, NY in Home Care, continuing on with Kimberly Quality Care as a Nursing Coordinator and finishing her career, retiring at 62, from Schenectady County Senior and Long Term Services as the Registered Nurse Assessor. During her early retirement, she took a part time position of training nursing aides for their home care working certifications.

Michelle was the president of the B’nai B’rith Girls (Schenectady Chapter) in 1959, where she met her future husband at a B’nai B’rith convention in North Adams, Mass. They had a loving marriage since this meeting, celebrating their 56 years of marriage this year.

She always wanted to be surrounded by her family. Her children and their spouses were the light of her life. She adored her grandson who she had a very close relationship with, and she made everyone feel like they were extended family.

Even though she was only 4’10”, she was larger than life and could walk into any room and would know everybody in that room before she left.

She loved to play Maj Jong, bunco, making cards and forever intending to straighten up her craft room.

Michelle is survived by her husband of 56 years Michael Roth, two daughters, Monica Salamida (Alfred), Erica Johnson (Brandon), a grandson Alexander Johnson (Terri), and was soon to be great grandmother to Adilayna Rose Johnson. She is also survived by her three siblings Donna Lilborn (Mark Brumberg), Paula Tunkel, and Dr. Jay Tunkel (Kathryn).. Michelle also leaves her sister-in-law, Rosheila ( Ricki) Davidson ( late Steve Davidson)  as well as many nephews, grand nephews and a grand niece

Special thanks to the St. Peters Hospital ICU Staff for the special care and attention they gave her and her family in her final days.

There will be a small private service on September 19, 2022 with a big celebration of life at a later date.

Those wishing to remember Michelle and her family in a special way may send a contribution to the Alzheimer's Association of Northeastern NY.

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