We join our St. Xavier community in mourning the passing of Michele Mascari, who entered into Divine Light on October 31, 2026, at the age of 78.
From 1982 to 2015, Michele gave her heart to St. X as an English teacher, theater director, and Head of the Fine Arts Department. Across more than 100 productions, she had a rare gift for seeing in her students what they could not yet see in themselves, then patiently helping that light shine, onstage or backstage, while she stayed happily in the shadows. As one former student said, she was “an expert at creating sanctuary and holding space for those who were struggling.”
Michele was always overjoyed when she got to see her former students on stage, film, in concert, backstage, or directing in their professional careers. Her St. X colleagues on the faculty and staff, and TX mentors were among her most treasured friendships.
Michele was named Theater Educator of the Year at the 2009–2010 Acclaim Awards and inducted into St. X’s first Fine Arts Hall of Fame class. Her legacy lives on in generations of Bombers and in the scholarship that bears her name.
In 2025, Michele relocated to California to be near family. A Cincinnati celebration of Michele’s life is planned for May 15, 2027, at St. Xavier. Additional details will be available in the coming weeks.
To read Michele’s full obituary, please visit rosefamilyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/mic….
May perpetual light shine upon Michele, and may the love of Christ console all who mourn her.
From 1982 to 2015, Michele gave her heart to St. X as an English teacher, theater director, and Head of the Fine Arts Department. Across more than 100 productions, she had a rare gift for seeing in her students what they could not yet see in themselves, then patiently helping that light shine, onstage or backstage, while she stayed happily in the shadows. As one former student said, she was “an expert at creating sanctuary and holding space for those who were struggling.”
Michele was always overjoyed when she got to see her former students on stage, film, in concert, backstage, or directing in their professional careers. Her St. X colleagues on the faculty and staff, and TX mentors were among her most treasured friendships.
Michele was named Theater Educator of the Year at the 2009–2010 Acclaim Awards and inducted into St. X’s first Fine Arts Hall of Fame class. Her legacy lives on in generations of Bombers and in the scholarship that bears her name.
In 2025, Michele relocated to California to be near family. A Cincinnati celebration of Michele’s life is planned for May 15, 2027, at St. Xavier. Additional details will be available in the coming weeks.
To read Michele’s full obituary, please visit rosefamilyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/mic….
May perpetual light shine upon Michele, and may the love of Christ console all who mourn her.
