Rena M. Kidder

Rena M. Kidder, age 87, of Northville, passed away peacefully February 24, 2015. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 13, 1927; devoted daughter of Louis and Alfonsina (nee Pitagora) Fabbro. She graduated from St. Gregory's in Detroit and attended University of Detroit, which is where she met fellow student and future husband Earl R. Kidder. Rena and Earl were united in marriage on July 9, 1949; they spent 65 loving years together until his death on August 6, 2014. Rena, a devout Catholic, was among the founding families of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Redford, where she was part of the Catholic Ladies Sodality. Most recently she was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Northville; she was an active member who was always willing to help out with various church activities. She worked for many years at Minnesota Fabrics as a sales associate. Rena was a devoted wife and mother; she adored her grandchildren and loved spending time with them especially teaching them the finer points of card playing. Rena enjoyed a social game of golf with the ladies and couples leagues from the Monaghan Knights of Columbus in Livonia. She also liked playing bridge and euchre. Rena enjoyed sharing the daily crossword puzzle with Earl, who she joked, found the easy words first, then left it for her to finish and she would--in pen! She was a genuine kindhearted woman who had a wonderful sense of humor and lived a very active life. She opened her heart and home to everyone she knew. Rena was a talented seamstress and did beautiful needlework; sharing many of her completed projects with her family. Rena is survived by her loving children, Denise (James) Putnam, Richard (Carolina Castellano) Kidder, Beth (William Barringer) Kuriluk, Jeffery (K.C.) Kidder, Lori (Richard Goshorn) Kidder, and Mary (James) Erickson; her grandchildren, Kate, Beth (Michael), Andrew, Anna, Matthew (Courtney), Daniel, Emma, Sarah, Kendall, Millicent, Leland, James, Charles, and Anthony; and her great granddaughters, Tula and Ivy. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her sister Frances Smith. The visitation will be held Monday, March 9, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 W. Dunlap, Northville. The Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 133 Orchard Dr., Northville. Mrs. Kidder will be laid to rest next to her husband at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Solanus Casey Center, 1820 Mt. Elliot, Detroit, MI 48207. Please make a note on your check the contribution is for Rena Kidder Memorial Stone at the Solanus Casey Center or make your donation online at solanuscenter.org using the link below.