Michelle Brichacek

Dr. Michelle Brichacek, DDS, MSPH

The intense passions and heart-melting smile of our dearest love and friend Dr. Michelle Brichacek faded when she lost a hard-fought battle with ovarian cancer June 8. She was 61. 

Family and friends were lovingly by her side as she peacefully died in her Denver home in the arms of her spouse Cheri Brichacek, her one true love and most ardent champion. She will be sadly missed by so many, but she will live on in the hearts of the people who loved her and those whose lives she touched. 

Dr. Brichacek enjoyed a long and successful career in dentistry. A trailblazer, she had just retired after 33 years teaching at the University of Colorado (CU) Dental School where she was a full professor. She was recently bestowed the title of Professor Emerita. 

There were many firsts during her career. Dr. Brichacek was one of the first female dental faculty members hired at the School, and one of the first Geriatric Dentistry fellows trained in the United States. She was the first female to earn the rank of full professor clinical track in the Department of Restorative Dentistry and the only Professor Emerita in the department. She was awarded Outstanding Comp Care Faculty in 2008, elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon and was a fellow in both the American College of Dentists and International College of Dentists. 

Her bright smile and bubbly personality were as generously shared with her students as were her skills as a talented dentist. 

With the utmost integrity and compassion she set high standards when mentoring countless students and colleagues during her time at CU. Both colleagues and students speak often of how they appreciate the innovative ideas and willingness of Dr. B - as colleagues, students and patients adoringly referred to her - to be a much-loved and respected mentor. Dr. Brichacek successfully ran the CU Faculty Practice as its director for several years, allowing colleagues to share their talents and improve the lives of patients from the surrounding community. 

Dr. Brichacek was intensely loyal and deeply dedicated to anything she set her mind to, be it relationships and fun with family members and friends, her career, or any project she took on whether for work or for fun. 

Her legacy will live on as the many dentists she taught over the years continue to help people with their dental health. 

Her strength and kindness brought peace and calm to every moment. It was always Michelle you wanted by your side in a crisis or challenging time.

Family and friends were as much a priority to Michelle as her career. She lavished family and friends with love and appreciation, advice and guidance, and her deep desire to find fun in everything she did. Michelle was a loving compass for so many. Both her laugh and smile were infectious. Even in her final days her thoughts were focused on love and concern for beloved family members and friends. She touched and changed the lives of everyone she knew. Those who were important to her were able to express their love and affection at a recent retirement party and during frequent visits that she cherished. 

All who had the privilege of meeting and developing a relationship with Michelle are better for having had her in their lives. We are lucky and grateful for having found her. 

Originally from Cleveland, Michelle was a Guardians fan. She was a Buckeye having graduated from the Ohio State University Dental School. She earned her undergraduate degree in biology from St. Louis University. She earned her Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) from CU. 

She was a National Intramural Sports All-American for flag football while at Ohio State in 1987. 

A lifelong dedication to fun manifested in frequent trips to Disney World with family and friends. Michelle enjoyed hiking, skiing and kayaking adventures in the Rocky Mountains and Maine or wherever the journey took her. A warm sandy beach by the ocean was among her favorite scenes. 

Michelle is survived by her wife Cheri. The couple shared more than 35 beautiful years of love together. 

Predeceased by her parents Frank and Dolores, she is survived by mother-in-law Noreen Kent of Denver; siblings Joyce Pachak (John) of St. Louis, Valerie of Cleveland, Frank (Roseann) of Cleveland, David (Kim) of Cleveland, Julie of Rome, New York, and Laura Gehringer (Jim) of Nashua, New Hampshire; sister- and brother-in-law Kim and Jeff Wood of Neodesha, Kansas; nieces and nephews Jessica, Anna, Rebecca, Brian, Matt, Veronica, Alexandra, Charlotte, Nick (Jackie) and Josh; great niece Amelia; and numerous very dear friends. 

A Funeral Service was held at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 2626 E 7th Ave Parkway, Denver, 80206. 

A Funeral Mass will be held on October 18, 11:00 a.m., at Church of St. Dominic, 19000 Van Aken Boulevard, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to:

The Dr. Michelle Brichacek Pixie Dust Fund 
within the Cleveland Foundation   

6601 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44103
https://bit.ly/PixieDustFund 216.861.3810

Please consider donating to honor Michelle and to continue her good works in perpetuity. This fund will assist girls and women, especially those facing economic hardship and those struggling with life-threatening illnesses.