Death date: Oct 5, 2023
On Thursday, October 5, 2023. Survived by best friend of 50 years and husband, Richard Oberndorf. Also survived by stepdaughter Alyson Austin (Charles Werner), stepson Ryan Oberndorf (Megan), sister Lynne Price (Gary), niece Leann Read Obituary
Here's a little story for you. Michelle and I were 'special' friends while in high school. We both spent most of our senior year attending classes at UC Berkeley so when it came time to take the PSAT, we were occupied elsewhere.
Later we were both required to take the test but we were told that it was just a practice SAT. Since both of us had already taken and scored highly (Michelle MUCH higher than me) on our SATs, we saw no value in dedicating our efforts to this 'practice' SAT.
Keep in mind that we were sweet on each other so, instead of wasting our time on a worthless test, we dedicated our time to each other.
What they didn't tell us--and we didn't learn until much later--was that the PSAT was largely what determined who was awarded the National Merit Scholarship.
Now, while my chances of being awarded this prestigious award was minimal, Michelle should have been awarded this honorarium. As we see repeatedly here--Michelle was wicked smart.
Once again, yet another example of high school counselors failing to keep students properly informed.
Nonetheless, I still value those two hours spent with Michelle while we zipped through the test just so the counselors could say that we met that requirement.
I just learned to day of Michelle's passing. This disturbed me greatly.
It's been a half century since I had seen Michelle but my memories of her are deep and thoughtful. I liked Michelle quite a bit and when she departed from me to pursue her new life, I was a loss that I've felt and lived with since. I will miss the thought that somewhere we might reconnect.
Dear Rick:
I am sorry that I did not know that Michelle passed until today. She was a great friend and colleague who's clear thinking often guided my actions. I know how much she enjoyed your dogs and had such pride in their awards. She will be sadly missed at the University and long remembered. My sincerest condolences.
George Klinzing
Hello, I am Terry Moore, also known as Terry Kane Chinn.
It is with deep regret I am not able to be here today with all of you to memorialize Michelle's life... and really appreciate Rick offering to have these reflections read during this service.
Michelle Sara Broido and I met when we were about five or six years old, when we both began studying piano under the tutelage of Charles Adams of Berkeley. Later, we started attending the same middle school, and became inseparable friends from seventh through ninth grade.
I'm going to do what we film, - sound and picture, editors - call-- "cutting to the chase." So, cutting to the chase... I am devastated and haunted by the passing of Michelle. I wake in the middle of nights filled with sadness she is gone. Mick and I had been communicating up until last Wednesday,... some weeks daily, for five years, maybe six...-- across the miles, the years, the decades, across the deep chasm between our separate life journeys and accomplishments. .. Communications ranging from the humorous, to the profound, to the frivolous ... to the deeply felt. We were childhood family, and this many years later, could reference events and people and feelings and bad jokes from those years without needing to explain.
My memories of Michelle are filled with images of moments as clear today as they were when they had just occurred: hanging out together while Mick hand-cut reeds to make mouthpieces for her oboe; accompanying Mick's oboe teacher Donna Roselius as a pianist; Mick and I playing piano duets while the Broidos' dachshund Camille ran underfoot; My introduction to Seder at the Broido home, and to yummy matzo balls! Mick being introduced to steamed fish made by my father. Mrs. Broido keeping root beer and vanilla ice cream (my favorite float) stocked in case, I, a latchkey kid, would be spending the afternoon. Dog shows at the Cow Palace with Mr. Broido.
When we reconnected across the decades about six years ago, we discovered things we never knew about the other: Michelle had experienced bullying and prejudice as a Jew; I, Chinese-American, was brought up in the Morman Church!, and was certified as a Sharpshooter by the N.R.A. at a young age. We never knew these things about the other.
Through all of life differences, the common ground with which we armed ourselves against a challenging world, was what WE believed to be our great wit and humor. Of course WE thought we originated udderly amoosing cow humor.
We looped endless rounds of wit:
What's life?
A magazine.
How much does it cost?
Ten cents.
Don't have ten cents.
That's Life!
What's life?
A magazine... don't have ten cents...etc etc
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We made up riddles:
What is a paradox?
Ben Casey and Dr. Kildare.
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Here's a loop I shared with Michelle not so long ago... she seemed to appreciate... the operating word being... "seemed".
How many elephants can you fit in a VW Bug?
Four. Two in the front, two in the back.
How can you tell if an elephant is in your refrigerator?
There's a footprint in the mayo.
How can you tell if two elephants are in your refrigerator?
There's two footprints in the mayo.
How can you tell if three elephants are in your refrigerator?
The door won't shut.
How can you tell if four elephants are in your refrigerator?
There's a VW Bug in your driveway.
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Rest in Peace, Mishka.
I am so grateful we rediscovered each other and that I could be in your life... at a time when it really mattered.
See you on the Other Side.
With much love...
Terry
I met Michelle almost 16 years ago. She was always a light to my darkness. Her quick wit and sarcasm always kept me on my toes. Michelle was so thoughtful (I was truly the lucky one) by being a recipient of some wonderful macaroons. There was always something positive to be taken from each and every single conversation I had with her. Her love and adoration for Rick, her family and dearest freinds along with her loving puppies. Michelle, you will be missed and remembered with love.
M. Barr
My friendship with Michelle developed when she was doing postdoctoral work at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Israel, and I was taking a sabbatical leave there. While initial conversations with Michelle were scientific based on our common interests, the atmosphere at the Weizmann was such that friendships and nonscientific interactions easily evolved. As I readily recognized that she was very bright and hard-working, I invited her to join my lab for further postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco. Scientifically, her stay was very productive, resulting in four publications. On the basis of her fine work to that point in her young career, she was readily hired as a tenure-track assistant professor at Hunter College. Our friendship continued even after she departed for the East Coast. From her time in San Francisco, I was introduced and befriended by the Broido family, joining them sometimes for dinner at the home of Abe and Mimi in Richmond or going to a play in San Francisco. A discussion with Abe involved was always fun! With her infrequent trips to the west coast after going east, our in-person visits devolved to a wonderful tradition of Thanksgiving dinner – first in Richmond and then later at the home of Michelle’s sister Lynne and her husband Gary Price. It was great to see their daughters Leanne and Becca grow up too. At one point in those many years, I became married, so my wife Olga was also included in the festivities – and discussions of weaving with dog hair; Lynne is a very intelligent woman with some interesting hobbies. After a long time, Olga decided we should have a Thanksgiving dinner of our own with family (and consequently omitting the very long drive from Nicasio to Castro Valley).
Of course, I was able to visit Michelle at Hunter, in Pittsburgh, and also in Bethesda, as I traveled to give lectures in those places or served on study sections for NIH. One time while she was at NIH, as the department chair, I called her to inquire about the details about why one of my faculty members had been unable to get his grant renewed even though he had received a very good score from the Study Section reviewing his grant proposal. Michelle gently told me that it was “none of my business”, but I could ask my faculty colleague to call her, and she would discuss the matter with him. Oh! OK.
It has been very good to have Michelle as a friend for the past 43 years. As often happens, there are times when a friend is needed for support and encouragement. In our case, this was certainly mutual.
Tom James – 11 October
I lived next door to Michelle’s father for almost 30 years and grew very close to the entire Broido family. Many times they would invite me and my husband over for dinner or cocktails. Michelle made great martinis. I especially remember one Thanksgiving when Michelle was preparing dinner at Abe’s house, and she invited me over to help prepare some of the dishes. She showed me her secret how to make good matzo ball soup (floaters, not sinkers). Sorry Michelle, I still make sinkers. I loved her sense of humor. It was dry, just like her dads was. I will truly miss you. "Cow"abunga! Jan Weissberger
