Michelle Sullivan Fielding

On Saturday, March 16, 2024, Michelle died at UPMC Shadyside Hospital due to progression of her Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (“ALS”) illness. For almost two and one half years, Michelle demonstrated great independence, physical strength and profound Christian faith, as she worked valiantly to combat the sequelae of her ALS. Michelle was the third of five siblings, having been born January 15, 1958, to parents Lawrence X. Sullivan, M.D. and Mary Louise (Connelly) Sullivan, both of whom have predeceased her. At birth, Michelle was named Patrice Michelle, but from her early toddler years, she was called “Michelle,” living a happy childhood in Highland Park and Fox Chapel Borough, and later she, too, raised her family in Fox Chapel Borough and O’Hara Township, and most recently she enjoyed residing on and operating an organic farm near New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Michelle graduated from Fox Chapel Area High School, earned her Bachelor of Science  Summa Cum Laude from Boston College, then earned a combined Masters in Business Administration and Healthcare Administration at the University of Miami, and worked for many years of her career in healthcare administrative positions, first at the Forbes Health System (now part of Allegheny Health Network), then at UPMC Children’s Hospital, followed by the UPMC administrative offices downtown Pittsburgh. Among her many professional roles, Michelle’s work included administering physician contracts, serving as Executive Director of Children’s Health Net and participating in matters of provider remuneration for packaged medical services. Michelle cheered Pittsburgh sports teams and she herself was athletic, having played tennis for her high school varsity girls’ tennis team and she continued to enjoy tennis throughout many decades of her life. Michelle was a fine cook while being an avid nutritionist and she developed an interest in homeopathy and obtained accreditation as a Certified Classical Homeopath (CCH.) Michelle is survived by her three children, for whom her love was unsurpassed:  Victoria L. Fielding of Emeryville, California, Lieutenant Eric V. Fielding, United States Navy, of Washington, D.C., and Juliet A. Fielding, of Arlington, Virginia. Michelle is also survived by her companion, John M. Ernsthausen, of New Wilmington, and her former husband, Eric J. Fielding, M.D. of Latrobe, PA. Michelle was predeceased by her brother, Kevin V. Sullivan, D.M.D. (Susan Buys Sullivan.)  Michelle is also survived by her siblings: Lawrence X. Sullivan, Jr., M.D. (Liz Moore Sullivan), of Fox Chapel Borough, Maureen L. Sullivan, M.D. of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Richard F. Sullivan, D.M.D. , Esquire, of O’Hara Township. Michelle is also survived by her niece Nancy Harvey, of O’Hara Township, and nephew Lloyd Harvey, M.D., Ph.D. of West Hollywood, California. Friends will be received at John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com) 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street, Pittsburgh, on Wednesday March 20 from 2-4 and 6-8p.m. where a blessing service will be held on Thursday March 21 at 10a.m.. Interment private at Calvary Cemetery.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the “ALS Association Western Pennsylvania Chapter,” 416 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA  15209, and please indicate “In Memory of Michelle S. Fielding.” (Or online donations may be made at https://donate.als.org/give/287064)  

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