Marilouise "Mel" Michel, 56, of Clarion was born in New Orleans, LA to the late Dr. Marshall L. and Nancy (Shaw) Michel. While she made home wherever she was, New Orleans was always in her heart. Mel believed that what didn't kill you made for a funny story later and she lived by that credo. As a professor, certified life coach and yoga instructor she was able to share that philosophy of living in the moment with her students. She also believed in playing it forward and was generous to a fault even to serving as a liver donor to a Clarion University alumnus as well as a CORE tissue donor in her death on September 24, 2018. Mel received her undergraduate degree in Speech and Drama from Trinity University, San Antonio, TX. She was the first graduate of the Master's in Fine Arts Musical Theatre/Directing program at Tulane University, New Orleans, LA. She also participated in the Graduate Acting program at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. She taught as Professor of Theater for 28 years at Clarion University of Pennsylvania serving as Department Chair from 2002 – 2008.She was also a teaching artist at Point Park University and Adjunct Instructor at Gannon University. She was a registered Yoga Instructor and a Certified Holistic Life Coach. Mel was a consummate actor performing in numerous roles over the years at Clarion University and beyond. Her directing vitae included shows at Clarion University, Summer Theatre CUP/Cook Forest , Clarion University Dance Theatre, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Pittsburgh Open Theatre, Gannon University Theatre and the Barrow Civic Theater in Franklin. She served as an adjudicator for the American College Theatre Festival (Kennedy Center). One of her infamous claims to fame was a cameo performance in the horror movie, The Last Slumber Party. Mel was a choreographer, creator and innovator. She worked to create: Yoga for Actors, Theatre of the World Immersion, Women in Global Theatre, Musical Theatre History, Movement for the Actor, Acting the Song. Additional Courses Taught: Styles of Acting, Auditioning, Advanced Theatre Production, Theatre Play Production, Acting I, Directing, Theatrical Make-up, Dance I & II, Dance Repertory, Introduction to Choreography. Mel introduced her program, Yoga for Actors, to theater students in St. Petersburg, Russia. Her most cherished role though was that of mother. She was an exceptional and loving parent to Emily Nancy Michel Powers and Marshall Edward Michel Powers both of Clarion. She is also survived by her brother, Marshal L. Michel of Germany and sister, Helen Michel of Pensacola, FL. Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory in Clarion. A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, September 28 and 3:30 p.m. in Hart Chapel on the Clarion University campus with Pastor Harold "Jake" Jacobson, of Grace Lutheran Church officiating. A party fitting Mel's life will follow immediately after the service. Come appropriately attired for the party! (We know Mel would not want to see everyone in black.) A scholarship in honor of Mel is being established at the Clarion University for Theater Students. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Marilouise Michel Theater Scholarship Fund c/o the Clarion University Foundation, Inc., 840 Wood Street, Clarion, PA 16214 (for more information contact the Foundation @ 814-393-2572).