Michelle C. Lebers

Michelle Celine (Falkowski) Lebers, 55, passed away on January 5th, 2024, at HMH Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, New Jersey. Michelle passed away from complications of Multiple Sclerosis (including kidney failure, acute respiratory failure, septic shock, and UTI). Unfortunately, Michelle did not have access to any of her personal property (including address books), so I am writing Michelle’s memorial to inform her family and friends of her passing.

Michelle was a strong, proud, determined single mother! She told me, she worked 3 jobs (while pregnant), so she could provide for her baby! She also got her GED and went to business school, so her son would be proud of her! She enjoyed reading and she was very intelligent! They lived in Spring Lake, NJ (grandmother’s home). Grandpa Tom Sr. and Dylan were very close back then, he babysat and visited often. But tragedy struck when the Spring Lake house burned to the ground. They were lucky no one was hurt, but they lost a loved dog and all their belongings. And as you can imagine, there were a lot of unhealed traumas in this family after that. Michelle and Dylan moved several times but finally moved into the "Carriage House" above her dad’s outbuilding garage in Millstone Twp, NJ. She and Dylan tried helping her dad as best as they could in the beginning, but things didn’t go well.

It was only after Michelle married John Lebers that things got really bad. Michelle was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and later dementia. A neurologist confirmed that the lesions in her brain were the cause of her memory loss and dementia. He also concluded that Michelle's car accident and brain surgery in her teens probably caused her dementia now. Dementia can cause uncontrollable outbursts of anger and erratic behavior. Unfortunately, Michelle never got the proper treatment, so she was self-medicating. This made her outbursts worse, causing her to lose touch with family and friends. When Michelle was correctly diagnosed and medicated, Michelle no longer had these outbursts; but her friends were long gone. Her memory loss ultimately became a blessing in many ways after that.

Michelle's passing was peaceful and painless. I, Kathleen Hardaker, was her friend and guardian. I spent hours talking to her about the good old days in Millstone NJ, reminiscing about when Dylan was young, living in Spring Lake and all the joyful times she had with family and friends. I played her favorite song, "Brown Eyed Girl", repeatedly as she squeezed my hand and tried to smile. The hospital staff was great, and she didn’t suffer at all! Michelle is buried at Maplewood Cemetery in Freehold, NJ with Gladys Walsh Falkowski (her mother).

Michelle is survived by:

- Dylan Thomas Falkowski (Michelle's only child) He resided in Pennsylvania. I was able to tell Michelle that Dylan was doing well, sober, and happy with a new young lady in his life. Michelle smiled!

- Thomas Falkowski, Jr., (Michelle's brother), his wife Cheryl, and their two lovely children Wendy and Abby.

- Robert (Bob) (last name unknown to me). I don’t even know his last name. He was Dylan's dad and Michelle's friend. Michelle was an independent woman, who didn’t want to get married. But when Michelle needed help, Bob was there for her and Dylan. Bob also struggled with addiction.

Michelle was predeceased by:

- Gladys (Walsh) Falkowski was Michelle's mother who passed away in 1987 due to cancer. Michelle admitted that she was rebellious! She was no angel! She got bored with high school and ran away from home to live with her best friend, Casey. But when her mom was diagnosed with cancer, Michelle returned home to take care of her mom. She loved her mom very much and asked to be buried with her. They are together now.

- Casey (last name unknown to me) Again I don’t know her last name, but when Casey died, a part of Michelle died also. Casey was her best friend, and partner in crime (kidding)! Casey has a daughter living in Florida, I hope and pray she and her family see this Obituary/Memorial and know they were very special to Michelle!

- Thomas M. Falkowski Sr., (Michelle's father) passed away on Oct. 22, 2015, in his home in Millstone, NJ, at the age of 84. He was a U.S. Army veteran who graduated from Villanova University and Tulane University Law School. He was a well-respected attorney and was a member of Millstone Lodge #2613.

Michelle had a complex relationship with her father. Despite their conflicts caused by addiction, Michelle and Dylan did their best to help her dad in the later years. Michelle was saddened by Dylan’s struggle with addiction as well.

I hope when Thomas Sr.’s grandkids (Dylan, Wendy, Abigail, Nicole, Ron, Michael, Matthew, and Maxwell) - grow older, they read this obituary/tribute. I hope they learn that Michelle was a wonderful person and friend. I hope they understand that her illness caused outbursts of anger, which caused those friendships to sour, but she cherished every one of her friends (especially Todd & Colleen, Heather & Sal, and so many more!)

Michelle’s 2 Stepsisters – passed away suddenly as well.

- Cindy Cecere died in 2011 at the age 50. She has two surviving children: Nicole and Ron.

- Lisa Striano-Bates died 2023 at the age of 59. She has three children: Michael, Matthew, and Maxwell.

On earth, Michelle didn’t have any faith in God or religion; but I pray death gave her the knowledge of God and eternal life! I believe her body is free from pain and suffering, her thinking and memory are clear, and her soul is free to watch over Dylan! I say goodbye for now Michelle, until we are all together again in heaven! Amen

Kathy Hardaker