Marlene White Rein Obituary (1936 - 2025)

Born Feb 13, 1936, Marlene White Rein attended East Detroit High School in Eastpointe, MI. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Marlene White Rein.

Graduation Year	Class of 1954
Date of Birth	Feb 13, 1936
Date of Passing	Dec 24, 2025
About	In Loving Memory of Our Mother A Life Filled with Love, Generosity, and Grace It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we share that Marlene Kay (White) Rein went home to be with God on Christmas Eve morning after a brave fight with dementia. She passed from this world peacefully, surrounded by her family who gathered to say goodbye. Her passing to God is a blessing for her and her family as her suffering is over and she is whole again. Marlene was born in 1936 in East Detroit, Michigan, to parents George and Mona (Mildred) White. The family was completed with the birth of younger brother, Bud (George) in 1938. Marlene graduated from East Detroit High School in 1954 and continued her education at Michigan State Normal (now Eastern Michigan University) with a Bachelor’s Degree in education. She went on to receive her Master’s Degree from The Ohio State University. In 1958, Marlene married her childhood friend and sweetheart, Ronald Rein. Their family quickly grew to include four children, Debbie, Paul, David, and Suzanne. Our family is our mother’s legacy, and she loved her family dearly. She devoted her life to nurturing us with a belief in self-determination and a willingness to put in the effort, to take care of the little ones and make them safe, and to comfort those who need it. She found joy in the everyday moments spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Marlene taught business education at Howell High School from 1977 to 1996. She was a dedicated and empathetic teacher, instilling the importance of determination, hard work, and integrity in her students. She took pride in watching them grow and succeed. Marlene was active in her church her entire life. Most recently, she was in the bell choir at the First Presbyterian Church in Brighton, MI. She remained physically active in her local Jazzercise group in Lakeland, MI until age 85. Our mother spent summers between the school years at our cottage in Ontario with her four children (and many dogs over the years). She was most at home in the quiet of the Northern woods and never grew tired of the view down the bay from the front window of the cottage. Our mom always said, “I could look at that view all day.” She marveled that we could have such beauty in our lives. She enjoyed kayaking, waterskiing, jet skiing, and her daily swim. Our mom always said the lake water was “pleasant” for a swim, despite how cold it actually felt to the rest of us. When we were growing up, our mom always used to say, “Remember who you are.” She said this to each of her kids every time one of us left the house. What it meant was, remember your values…remember who you want to be…remember your family…remember you are my child…remember you are loved. It is telling that despite all the memory loss late in her life, she never failed to remember who she was in terms of the values that shaped her. She never failed to show kindness to children or animals or the staff where she lived; she never lost her love for and protection of her family. Our mom always said, “I love you,” when we’d say goodbye. And when we’d reply, “I love you, too.” She would quickly add, “I love you most!” It was a game we’d play each time. Our mother shaped our lives; she leaves us with so many blessings. She was a good mom - we are lucky to call her our own. We miss her already, but are relieved that she is free of the burden of the past few years, and we find comfort in the beautiful memories she helped create. Marlene was predeceased by her brother Bud (George) White. She is survived by Ronald Rein and their children Debbie Rein Renton, Paul Rein, David Rein, and Sue Rein Trotter; nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Marlene did not want a traditional funeral service, just a small gathering of her family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (ALZ.org) in Marlene Rein’s memory. Please remember her and her family in your prayers. Mom, we love you… most!