News Summary
Michele Heenan Salisbury, a passionate nurse and educator, passed away at the age of 80 in Denver. Known for her dedication to nursing and teaching, she inspired many through her 25 years at Western Kentucky University and Vanderbilt University. Her legacy includes a significant impact on healthcare education and a loving family, with a life filled with travel and adventure. Visitation services are scheduled in Bowling Green and Lakewood for family and friends to honor her memory.
Denver, Colorado – Michele Heenan Salisbury, a dedicated nurse and educator, passed away peacefully at the age of 80 at her home in Denver on May 2, 2025, surrounded by family.
Michele was born on November 10, 1944, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she was the eldest of four children born to Ada May and Charles T. Heenan. She spent her childhood in Olean, New York, graduating from Olean High School in 1962.
Her academic journey began at the University of Wisconsin, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish in 1966. Michele continued her education by attaining a Master’s degree in Spanish Literature from the University of Kansas in 1969.
In 1976, Michele moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky, with her family, which marked a significant shift in her career path. After realizing her passion for nursing, she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in nursing from Western Kentucky University and later pursued a Master’s in nursing from Vanderbilt University. In 1993, Michele completed her Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Texas at the age of 49, further solidifying her commitment to the field.
Michele enjoyed a fulfilling nursing career, with over ten years of experience in the labor and delivery and neonatal units at the Medical Center in Bowling Green. Her passion for teaching led her to impart her knowledge to aspiring nurses for more than twenty-five years, first at Western Kentucky University and then at Vanderbilt University. She retired from her teaching post at Vanderbilt in 2013 to be closer to her grandchildren, relocating to Denver, Colorado.
During her retirement, Michele remained active in her community and embraced her independence. She traveled extensively throughout the Southwestern United States and explored over a dozen countries, including memorable visits to Cuba, Finland, and Argentina.
Michele is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Salisbury, and her husband Lee Davis, of Lakewood, Colorado; her son, John Azbill-Salisbury, and his husband Scott, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and her son, Michael Salisbury, and his wife Kelly Miller, also from Lakewood, Colorado. Additionally, she is survived by her brothers Sean and Thomas Heenan, her sister Gabrielle Heenan, and her beloved grandchildren Luke, Patrick, and Aaron Davis, Anson and Aviana Salisbury. Michele was predeceased by her husband, Richard Salisbury, and her parents, Ada May and Charles Heenan.
Family and friends will have the opportunity to commemorate Michele’s life at a visitation scheduled for July 12 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at Christ Episcopal Church, located at 1215 State St, Bowling Green, Kentucky. Another visitation took place earlier on May 13 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Horan & McConaty Funeral Home in Lakewood, Colorado.
Michele Heenan Salisbury’s legacy as a nurse and educator, along with her vibrant spirit and dedication to her family, will be cherished and remembered by those who had the privilege of knowing her.
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Additional Resources
- Bowling Green Daily News: Michele Salisbury Obituary
- Horan & McConaty: Michele Salisbury Obituary
- Legacy: Grace Fink Obituary
- Wikipedia: Nursing
- Legacy: Matthew Melton Obituary
- Google Scholar: Nursing Education
