Renee Michel

Our bright star, Renee Michel, has ended her long battle with brain cancer. Renee loved life and her laughter will be missed by so many.

Renee was an artist in many venues including singing, playing music, photography, and drawing. Renee graduated in 1984 from Maumee High School where she participated in the marching band and musical theater. In 1987, after attending Bowling Green State University, Renee followed her older sister Brooke to New York City. She sang her way through NYC at open mic venues and in restaurants where she worked hoping to be discovered. After a few years in the city, Renee moved to Long Beach where she lived for 20 years and studied photography.

Renee loved all animals. In Long Beach she was a foster parent for bulldog rescue and loved the dogs so much that she adopted a few herself. After years of searching, Renee found her dream job of being a dog groomer and owned a successful mobile dog grooming business for many years.

Renee was a world traveler and there was no place she was afraid to go. She lived in Italy for a bit taking Italian language classes, went on an African Safari and traveled to the Galapagos Islands just to name a few. She tried to get to Antarctica to see the King Penguins, but it was not meant to be, as her disease progressed. After her father, Don Michel, passed in 2017, Renee missed her hometown of Maumee. She found her dream home on the Maumee River and decided to move back. It didn’t take long for Renee to reignite local relationships. She loved to share her passion for singing and music at various venues around the local area where she became known to many. After her first brain surgery in 2019, Renee was asked to participate in Acoustics for Autism in Maumee. Her love of people showed in the beautiful tribute her musical artist friends gave her at her home. More than 6 bands and artists played for her, and many friends were there to enjoy the music. An amazing night to remember.

Thanks to the Victory Center, Renee discovered a love and talent for Zen Tangle and created wonderful art and memories for her family and friends. Renee was a member of Cedar Creek Church and was re-baptized at her home surrounded by friends and family.

Renee is survived by her mother, Venice Michel; siblings, Brooke Michel- Yussim (Herbert Yussim) and Robert Michel (Mary Ann Michel); nieces, McKenzie Michel and Allie Michel; nephew, Bennett Michel; and her dogs, Bella and Daisy.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Ronald McDonald House of Toledo or the charity of your choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Renee Michel, please visit our floral store.