Michelle P. Spring

On Saturday, August 2, 2025, Michelle Popowsky Spring passed away peacefully at her home in Arlington, Virginia. She was in the company of her beloved husband Herbert Baker Spring. The cause of death was cancer.

Michelle is the daughter of the late William John Popowsky and Mary Judith Picconi Popowsky. In addition to her husband, Michelle is survived by her sister Alberta Louise Marczak, brother-in-law Lawrence James Marczak, nephew William Russell Marczak and grandnephew Neil Richard Marczak, all of El Cerrito, California.

Born on January 28, 1955, in Philadelphia, Michelle grew up in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. She graduated magna cum laude from Barnard College in New York City in 1977, where she was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa. After graduating college, Michelle did graduate work in English and Comparative Literature at the Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

While in New York, Michelle was employed as an Editor, first at the MacMillan Publishing Company and later Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich. She arrived in Washington, DC in 1982, joining the staff of U.S. Senator Paula Hawkins (R-FL) as the Senator’s Speechwriter. Following her time at Senator Hawkins’ office, Michelle was employed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as the Director of Publications, the National Food Processors Association as the Senior Director of Publications and finally as an independent consultant for a variety of clients.

During her entire time in the Washington, DC area, Michelle stood at the intersection of arts and literature and public policy. This carried over to her volunteer work at the National Portrait Gallery, including as a Docent.

A funeral service for Michelle will take place at the Murphy Funeral Home in Arlington, VA, on Saturday, August 16th.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the National Portrait Gallery, including contributions taking the form of filling a volunteer position at the Gallery, will be appreciated