Renee Kolasa

Renee Kolasa

Age 68, of Northville, passed away unexpectedly on February 21, 2022. She was born on December 8, 1953 in Pontiac, Michigan; daughter of Robert and Mary (Falzon) LaCroix. Renee grew up in Dearborn Heights and graduated from Riverside High School, class of 1972. She began a family in Livonia and moved to Northville in 1989.

After High School she received a degree in Cosmetology. She spent over 40 years as a hairdresser. In her later years, Renee worked as a caregiver to the elderly at Lovewell, a home care company her daughter Kristin owns in Northville. She was an incredibly kind caregiver and brought so much joy to the people she helped. Renee also spent some time as a preschool teaching assistant and briefly worked at Genitti’s Restaurant.

With a strong faith in God and powerful devotion to Jesus, Renee cherished the time she spent with her daughter, Marin, going to Connection Church in Canton. She was a very proud mother, and her two granddaughters, Lucy and Piper, were the light of her life. Nothing held higher importance than spending time with her family and having daily talks with her mother. Renee was a loving, kind, and dynamic mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Renee was very patriotic and loved this country. Singing “God Bless America” always brightened her (and anyone lucky enough to be within earshot of her performance) day. She enjoyed reading, especially history. Renee was a talented seamstress and created Victorian costumes for the Northville Victorian Festival for over 5 years. With a creative eye she enjoyed her time painting, sewing, and crocheting. Some of her favorite things included going to the casino, playing bingo, going to breakfast, and to the dollar store with her closest friends. She was the life of the party, loved being with people, eating (cheesecake and chocolate ice cream were her favorite food group), laughing, joking, and beaming her big infectious smile.

Renee is survived by her children, Brian (Meredith) Kolasa, Kristin (fiancée Ben McKinnon) Kolasa, and Marin Kolasa; her mother Mary LaCroix; her granddaughters, Lucy and Piper; her siblings, John (Rita Morse) LaCroix, Joan Webber, Michael (Cathy) LaCroix, and Michelle (Doug) Bishop; her sister-in-law Sue LaCroix; and her future step-grandchildren, Kevin and Karter. She is also survived by 8 loving nieces and nephews and her cherished best friend Toni Genitti. Renee was preceded in death by her father and her brother Rob LaCroix.

Visitation will be held Monday, February 28, 2022 from 4-8pm. A celebration of Renee’s life will be held Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 11am at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville. Memorial contributions would be appreciated to Life Challenge Ministries , 17667 Pierson Street, Detroit, Michigan 48219.