Michelle Blaszczyk

Chelle (Stitt) Blaszczyk, Age 51, of Manitowoc died at home surrounded by her family after a lengthy battle with cancer. Chelle was born on November 1, 1967 to Paul and Phyllis in Madison, Wisconsin. She graduated from Manitowoc Lincoln High School, class of 1985. After high school she followed her siblings, Anna and Todd, to the University of Minnesota where she earned her undergraduate degree from the University’s Carlson School of Management in 1995. After completing college, Chelle continued to excel and advanced from a sales associate into a variety of retail management roles at J.C. Penny’s. While Chelle loved living in the Twin Cities where she made sure friends and family stay connected, her heart drew her back to Manitowoc. In 1999, she joined her father Paul Stitt at Natural Ovens Bakery where she met Thomas (Tommy) Blaszczyk. Friendship and love quickly followed and Chelle and Tommy were married on October 13th, 2001.

Chelle and Tommy worked together with their bakery family for a number years even after it was sold to Alpha Baking Company of Chicago in 2007. She was never afraid to take on a new adventure and decided to leave the bakery to join Action Realty in 2013. Chelle loved people, laughing, and spending time with family and friends, especially at Round Lake in Hayward. In addition to juggling work, home and family, Chelle made time to give back to the community she called home. She was an active gardener serving as the President of the Manitowoc County Master Gardeners. She also volunteered for Mainly Manitowoc – serving on the Business Development board.

Anyone who met Chelle, knew that she was most proud of being Paige and Zach’s mom. She’d flash you a huge smile when sharing the latest successes whether it be finding Paige’s prom dress, getting her driver’s license or Zach’s soccer and coaching. She was glad when Tommy started working at St. Francis of Assisi Middle School in Manitowoc as it gave them more time together.

She is survived by her loving husband of 18 years, Tommy Blaszczyk, children Paige and Zachary, mother, Phyllis (Merv) Long of St Ives, Australia, sister, Anna (Harold) VanSickle of Roseville MN, and brother, Todd Stitt of Minneapolis MN.

She is preceded in death by her father, Paul Stitt as well as her Stitt and Peterson grandparents.

The support that has been given to the Blaszczyk family from friends and family through out the years has been amazing, and we are very grateful for it. Also, a big thank you to the cancer & hospice teams at Aurora, and the Parish of Saint Francis of Assisi.

The funeral for Chelle will be held at the Saint Francis of Assisi Church at 2109 Marshall Street in Manitowoc on July 1. Visitation starts at 9:30, service at 11:00 and a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Aurora Cancer Services Fund.