Rena A. Michaud

Wakefield - Rena Alice Michaud, of Danvers, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 5, 2021, at the Wakefield Center Nursing Home in Wakefield, Massachusetts.  Rena was the daughter of the late Leona (Toussaint) and Rene Michaud.

A native of Madawaska, Maine, Rena was immensely proud of her French heritage and enjoyed speaking French with her siblings, friends, and staff at the nursing home.

While raising four children, she was active in St. Mary’s Church (in Danvers) women’s and couples’ clubs.  Rena enjoyed ceramics and was also an accomplished seamstress, often sewing clothes for her family and curtains for her home.  She developed a passion for cake decorating and created lovely cakes for birthdays and her children’s weddings.  Rena also loved making hand-stitched oriental rugs for each of her children and grandchildren winning various awards including “Best in Show” at the annual Topsfield Fair.  Mid-life, she was proud to have returned to school, earning her degree in Nursing.   Later in life she was delighted to be Mémère to her five grandchildren Amanda Opolski Koenig, Nicholas Opolski, Alexander Buntin, Natasha Buntin, and Jacob Opolski.

Rena is survived by her four children, Diane Gunn  and her fiancé Keith Russell of Magnolia, Texas; Cathleen Buntin of Charlemont, Massachusetts; Steven Opolski  and his fiancé Donna Pisciotta of Ipswich, Massachusetts; and Christopher Opolski and his partner Alexis Stifler of Walpole, Massachusetts; sister Patricia and brother-in-law Roger Vachon of Essex, Center, Vermont; sister Dorothy and brother-in-law Dean Corbett of The Villages, Florida; sister-in-law Aline Michaud of The Villages, Florida and many nieces and nephews.  Rena was predeceased by her sister Jeanine Martin; brother Roger Michaud; her son-in-law Frank Buntin; and her nephew James Copping.

Our family would like to thank Northshore Elder Services, the staff of Wakefield Center, and countless other professionals that have assisted us with Rena’s journey with dementia. In our most recent video call with her on March 1, 2021, she appeared well cared for, happy, and content.

Final arrangements are being handled by Mackey Funeral home in Middleton, Massachusetts and a mass celebrating Rena’s life will be planned for 11am on Monday, April 26, 2021, at St. Mary’s Church in Danvers, Massachusetts.  Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Elder Services of Merrimack Valley and North Shore in Danvers, Massachusetts (www.esmv.org).   Additional information and condolences at www.mackeyfuneralhome.com.

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