So is it Mike-el or Michelle?

Just remembered I have a friend who is married to a woman who spells her name Michael (unless I'm am mis-remembering) but pronounces it as "Michelle"
I always figured Learned's first name was Mike-el just from some odd family quirk and I always respected her femininity. Very lovely woman even as Mom Walton.

So does anyone know how she pronounces her name?

btw, she also had a turn on Gunsmoke where her character was a strong independent woman who has a flirtation with Matt, and I remember she had a masculine name for the episode -- Mike.
So maybe she does like it pronounced Mike-el.