Michelle York

Michelle Marie York, 64, of Traverse City, passed March 26, 2025. She was born on October 10, 1960, to Michael and Doris Tock.

Michelle grew up in Rochester, Michigan. She attended the Center for Creative Studies where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts. Once completed, she continued her education at Central Michigan University and received a Master’s in Art History. Michelle expressed her love for art while teaching for 28 years in the Bloomfield Hills School District. In 2018, she moved to Traverse City to retire and found an amazing community of local artists and dear friends.

Michelle was a sculptor who used clay and found objects foraged from nature or relics from our past to tell a story. Her art is fable-like, sentimental, and juxtaposes the inherent beauty of nature with items weathered by time, such as a piece of rusty metal with abundant character. She is a featured artist at Higher Art Gallery in Traverse City and Twisted Fish Gallery in Elk Rapids and a prominent participant in many regional art shows. She was most active with Glen Arbor Arts Center, Crooked Tree Arts Center, and Oliver Arts, and she participated in the prestigious Dennos Museum Regional Juried Exhibition. She most recently received Best of Show for her work in the Glen Arbor Arts Center Vessels Exhibit.

Michelle impacted countless lives through teaching and treasured the time she spent with friends in her beloved local hiking, book, and wine clubs. She enjoyed spending her time taking in the natural wonders of the Traverse City area and shared in passions like walking the beach of Lake Michigan, biking, kayaking, going to wineries, and camping. Michelle loved tinkering in her art studio by giving life to her creative ideas. Above all, Michelle loved spending time with her family.

Michelle will be dearly missed by her surviving husband, son, daughter, and brother. Those who knew her will remember Michelle for her contagious smile and deep rooted care for others. She had the unique ability to create art and find meaning in discarded items. Though she has passed, her creations will live on in the homes and hearts of many.

Contributions in honor of Michelle can be made to Munson Hospice Center.