Michelle was born on August 26, 1946, in Eugene, Oregon, to James Lyman “Pete” Cation and Susan (Cooper) Cation. As her father was an officer in the US Air Force, she moved often as a child, living in a variety of places including the Philippines.  A few years after they settled in the Portland area, and she graduated from Sunset High School in 1964.

Michelle attended the University of Oregon, and while in college she married Dennis Robert Heckman. In 1969 they had their first child, a son they named Michael.  Shortly afterward, they moved to Evansville, Indiana, where Dennis was offered a teaching position.  Michelle earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Evansville in 1971. There they also had their second child, a son they named Casey. Soon after, they moved back to Portland, Oregon.

In 1973, Michelle found a job in Sales and Marketing at Tektronix, in Beaverton, Oregon, working as the only woman in that department, in what was a highly male-dominated field at the time. In 1978, she earned her MBA from Portland State University. Later that year, she and Dennis divorced.

In 1981, she changed careers and became a Business and Computer Technology Instructor at Mt Hood Community College and Portland Community College, and continued teaching until 2024.  She also tried her hand in a number of small business ventures by herself, and some with friends and family.

In 2005, Michelle moved into a condo in the Pearl district of Portland, and for the past 20 years was very active in her community, in a variety of roles, including serving on the HOA board, several committees, and helping to prepare the condo newsletter.

Michelle was a strong and independent woman throughout her life, and spent most of her time and energy caring for other people, and leading by example.  She volunteered for and supported various charitable causes, including women’s reproductive rights, education, public broadcasting, and food for those in need.  She enjoyed numerous creative hobbies, especially crochet, and loved making gifts for other people.

She is survived by her two sons, Michael and Casey, and a large group of loving friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider volunteering or making a donation to one of the following charities in remembrance of Michelle:

American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/

Oregon Public Broadcasting https://www.opb.org/ 

Reproductive Freedom for All Foundation https://reproductivefreedomforall.org/ 

American Civil Liberties Union https://www.aclu.org/ 

Meals on Wheels https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/