Paula Joy Laneve

Paula Joy LaNeve

Always thought of as beautiful by those who knew her … and she truly was beautiful inside and out, Paula passed away on Sept 23, 2022 after a courageous eighteen month battle with lymphoma. For the past 21 years Paula has lived in Northville in a home she built and loved with her husband of 31 years Mark and her twin sons Jake and Drew LaNeve age 30. Above all she was a dedicated and amazing mom and partner with Mark in loving and supporting their special children.

Paula was born on June 21, 1958 in Ambridge, Pa daughter of Paul and Joyce (Copenhaver) Belis. Like her husband, Paula grew up in a steelworkers Beaver County family and graduated from Ambridge High in 1976. Paula then attended Point Park University earning a degree in Dance and Theatre. Following college, Paula moved to NYC where she had a very successful career as an actress, model, singer, and dancer. She performed in the original 42nd Street on Broadway for many years and appeared in many other noteworthy films and productions.

Paula began a second career in 2012 at Eton Academy in Birmingham, MI. Eton is a renowned school for Different Learners which Drew attended and Paula did volunteer work. Paula displayed great tenacity and talent eventually becoming Head of Admissions and Development, a position from which she retired in 2020. She was tireless in her support of students with learning differences and her fundraising events were always legendary.

Paula enjoyed throwing events and parties, travelling, yoga, and white wine. She loved design, fashion and all things Coco Chanel. Family was everything to Paula. She was an amazing, beautiful, and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.

Paula is survived by her husband Mark; her twin sons, Jake J. LaNeve and Drew P. LaNeve; her mother Joyce Belis; her brother Tom (Kate) Belis; her sister Tina Belis; her sister-in-law Lisa LaNeve; her brother-in-law Matt LaNeve; and her nieces and nephew, Erica, Nicky, Crystal, Jordan, Jade, Sydney, Sarah, and Samantha. She is also deeply loved by Randi Schuster who will always be like a daughter. She was preceded in death by her father Paul Belis.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 30, 2022 at 1pm with a time of gathering beginning at 12:30 at St. James Catholic Church, 46325 West 10 Mile Road, Novi.

A reception and celebration of Paula’s life will be held following mass at Meadowbrook Country Club, 40941 West 8 Mile Road, Northville. Please RSVP to Randi Schuster at [email protected] if you plan on attending the Celebration of Life.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship fund has been established at Eton Academy in Paula’s name.