Obituary

René Rochelle Reed, 62, resident of Mission Viejo for the past 25 years, died on Saturday, July 5, 2025. René was born on August 7, 1962, in Bellaire, Ohio to John Lawrence Cook and Carolene Lenora Cook (Wallace). She attended junior high and high school in Riverside, where she graduated from Arlington High School in 1981. She later graduated from FIDM with a degree in Interior Design.

René wore many hats. She worked as a drafter in an engineering firm where she met her husband, Andy. Later, she worked for nearly 20 years in schools as an educator and administrator. She was deeply devoted to her kids. She was a committed Christian who volunteered in every church she attended, especially in the realms of hospitality and Vacation Bible School. René was intensely curious and loved learning new things. She was open-minded, gracious, and humble. Her friends remember her for her compassion and her excellent sense of humor.

René “Nay Nay” loved and cared for her grandsons intensely. She was constantly cooking up ways to entertain and educate them, especially if it involved arts and crafts. The boys loved helping her in her garden. René made a constant effort to stay in contact with her nieces and nephews even from afar.

René is survived by her husband of 33 years, Andrew Howard Reed; and two children, Christopher Howard (Rachel), and Jenna Reed; three grandchildren, Joshua Bennett, Hunter Howard, and Tucker Howard. She is survived by her mother, Carolene Cook and two sisters, Shelly Romo and Andrea Howell (Jeff). She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Mitchell, Natalie, Lexi Howell, Rachel Romo, Coco and Lucien Reed. René is preceded in death by her father, John Lawrence Cook.

A celebration of life will take place Saturday, August 2nd starting at 3pm at Christ Community Church, 25384 MacKenzie St, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to get their kitchen knives sharpened (as René would have wanted) or to make a donation to the COPD Foundation.