Renée Fuchs, formerly of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, at Village Shalom in Leawood, Kansas.
Renée was born on July 14, 1935, in Bayonne, New Jersey, to Samuel and Mary Goldstein. Renée grew up in Jersey City and was very close with her three siblings, Bernard (Bob), Jerrold, and Rita. Renée loved spending holidays and time with her extended family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles and many cousins. She never stopped longing to live closer to her family.
Renée graduated from Snyder High School in Jersey City. She was popular in school and active in B’nai B'rith Girls. She graduated from the Barbizon School of Modeling and loved dressing up and getting photographed. She had many boyfriends, but she married her knight in shining armor, Harold Fuchs, on Apr. 2, 1955, in New York City. Renée and Harry resided in Jersey City as newlyweds. The family moved to Morrisville, Pennsylvania, and then later settled in Kansas City, Missouri.
Renée was a people person and enjoyed entertaining, dining out, and dressing up. She spent a lot of time with family and friends. She regularly played mahjong and cards.
Renée also volunteered at the Brandeis Book Sales and Meals on Wheels for Senior Citizens. Renée was an avid reader and loved painting on canvas during art classes as well as at home. In her leisure time, she completed crossword puzzles, “snooped” in stores, completed needlepoint pictures, crocheted, and knitted baby buntings and sweaters for her grandchildren.
Renée was a longtime member of Congregation Beth Shalom and an active member of Sisterhood. Renée learned to read Hebrew and became a bat mitzvah when she was in her 50s. She greatly enjoyed traveling with her husband, Harry, throughout the world, including Australia, Europe, Israel and China. She spent many summers with her family in Belmar at the Jersey shore, and winters with her siblings and their spouses in Cancun, Mexico.
Renée is survived by her three children, Lonni (Andrea), Lorri Fuchs Coppaken (Howard) and Dayna Nussbaum (Steven). Renée treasured the time she had with her grandchildren, Jennifer (Dusty) Hancock, Rachel (Thomas) Ryan, Elizabeth (Michael) Cappo, Morgan (Austin) Azurdia, and Brandon Nussbaum. Renée had a special place in her heart for her great-grandchildren, Brookelyn, Jaxson, and Camden Hancock and Liam and Isabelle Ryan. She is survived by one brother, Jerrold Goldstein, and two sister-in-laws, Roberta Goldstein and Joan Goldstein. She will be missed by all.
Renée’s family extends a special thanks to members of the Village Shalom nursing staff and KC Hospice for their special care.
Funeral services were held on Nov. 30 at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home Chapel, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in her memory to the National Multiple Sclerosis Association, Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA), Brain Cancer Research (stachestrong.org) or Alzheimer’s Association.
Shiva services were held on Nov. 30 at the home of Lorri and Howard Coppaken and Dec. 1 at Village Shalom.
