Tess Clara Anne Michaelsen, age 27, of Newtown, CT, passed away on June 6, 2026 at Massachusetts General Brigham Hospital following a six-year battle with a rare cancer, after also beating leukemia as a child.

Born in Danbury, Connecticut on March 9, 1999, she was the daughter of Arthur and Julia Michaelsen.  Tess received her high school diploma from Immaculate High School in 2017 and her Bachelor of Applied Science in Clinical Child Psychology from Xavier University, where she was awarded the XU Buschmann Merit Award and was a member of the Dean's List and the Psi Chi Psychology Honors Society, in 2021.  Tess earned her Masters of Science in Child Life & Family-Centered Care from Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, where she was awarded the Boston University Wheelock College Practitioner Award, in 2024.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, CT was a special place for Tess: not only did she attend as a camper during her childhood battle with cancer and later train and work as a counselor, but she was a beloved community member and leader there throughout her life.  After working at the Camp and the Boston Children's Museum, Tess fulfilled her goal of becoming a Child Life Specialist in 2024.  In this role, she was uniquely able to partner with children, adults, and families affected by cancer and other diseases at the Tufts Medical Center in Boston.  She achieved her graduate degree and work experience in the highly competitive Boston market all while getting a battery of cancer treatments and being a devoted daughter, sister, cousin, niece, girlfriend and friend to the many people who loved her so fully.

Other than her passion to live life to the fullest, Tess was a fiercely loyal friend and worked tirelessly to support children and families dealing with illness.  She loved beauty and fashion, her beloved dog Wally, and had an impeccable signature style. Tess inspired everyone around her to be more kind, thoughtful, forgiving, and accepting of others, and to appreciate the little things we all too often take for granted.

Tess is survived by her parents, Arthur and Julia, her brother Trey ( Arthur III ), her partner William Dynan, her cousin and godmother Maggie Moore, and several aunts, uncles, cousins and beloved friends.  She was predeceased by her grandparents Bart and Louise Crisafi of Greenwich CT, Josephine and Jim Connelly of Ridgefield CT, and Arthur Michaelsen Sr of Bridgewater CT.

Calling Hours will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Bouton Funeral Home, 31 West Church Street, Georgetown, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Georgetown Oratory of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 30 Church Street, Redding, CT. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the MGB Cancer Institute in memory of Tess Michaelsen at: https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/mgb-cancer-institute.  To offer online condolences and to share memories please visit www.boutonfuneralhome.com