Michelle Denise Lehman

Michelle Lehman, 42, passed away suddenly on Friday, December 5, 2025, leaving behind a life full of love, laughter, grit, and breathtaking growth. She was born June 1, 1983 in Wilmington, Delaware to Linda Seaman and Karl Lehman. 

Michelle was in an incredible chapter of her life. Over the past five years, she committed to her health, built her self-confidence, and stepped into a version of her life that felt fully her own. She was proud of the strength she built, inside and out, and she became an example of what it looks like when you truly commit and give it your all. 

She had also recently found the love of her life in Jacob Sergi. They had known each other from work and in this last year their friendship grew into a beautiful love. Together they were turning their house into a home and planning for a full and exciting future. 

Professionally, Michelle devoted more than 17 years to Capano Management in Wilmington, Delaware. She began her career as a leasing consultant and, through hard work and exceptional leadership, rose to become Regional Property Manager. She oversaw more than a dozen properties and 45 team members across two states. Michelle was respected not just for her skill, but for her steadiness, compassion, and ability to bring out the best in the people she led.

Michelle was a true family person. Her mother was her best friend and her father was her greatest source of encouragement. She was a constant source of joy and laughter for her siblings, and being a devoted aunt was one of the most meaningful roles in her life. She also had a close circle of girlfriends who were more than friends; they were her chosen extended family. Michelle had such a rare and beautiful ability to connect with people, to make them feel included and important, and to “bring them into the fold.” Because of that gift, her life became a wide, intertwined community of friends, family, and colleagues. 

A big part of her transformation journey came from the strength she found within her gym community Cedeno Strength and The Training Center. She loved the women on her powerlifting team, they gave her grounding, purpose, and a true sense of belonging. They weren’t just training partners; they were part of the fabric of her life, cheering her on as she grew stronger in every way.

She is survived by her parents, Linda and David Seaman, and Karl and Christa Lehman; her loving partner, Jacob Sergi; and her siblings, Lori Rosario (Ismael), Lauren Lavelle, and Joshua Derrick (Melissa). Michelle was a devoted aunt to her nieces and nephews, Laurel Ortiz (Nicholas), Daniel Dorman, Xavier Rosario, Kira and Moira Lavelle, Jack and Theodore Derrick, and Calvin, Maren, and Miles Hayes. She is also survived by her grandmothers, Ann Borders and Pat Terrell; aunts, Kathy Houghton (Joe), Penny Meyer (Wayne) and Robin Hays (Kirby); uncle, Frank Haynes (Deanna); and her lifelong best friends, Regan Turnbull and Christie Haupt, and an extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved her and will miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, David and Margaret Lehman; Peggy Miller, Norman Terrell, Joan Napolski; Denmore Seaman; Joseph Napolski, and aunt, Denise Hayes. 

The family will receive friends for visitation at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek, Delaware at 11:00AM, followed by the service at 12:30PM on Monday, January 5, 2026.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00PM at the Christiana Hilton, 100 Continental Drive, Newark, Delaware.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Michelle’s memory be made to Humane Animal Partners, 701 A Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 (https://www.humaneanimalpartners.org).

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