Maureen “Renee” Rose Gutierrez

CANFIELD — Maureen “Renee” Rose Gutierrez passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, with her daughters and family by her side at Salem Regional Medical Center.

Renee was born Sept. 13, 1945, in Youngstown, the daughter of George Farran and Marie Sousa Farran.

A lifelong resident of Youngstown, Renee attended St. Edward Grade School and Junior High on the city’s North Side and was an honor graduate of Ursuline High School, Class of 1963. She continued her education at Youngstown State University, where she earned her associate degree. Renee met her husband at the North Side bowling alley; they were married April 22, 1967, at St. Edward Church and were happily married for almost 59 loving years.

Renee began her career as a secretary for the AFL-CIO Council. She later spent the remainder of her career with the United States Postal Service, where she worked as a human resource manager and supervisor of delivery and collections. Renee had an amazing work ethic, leading to a long, successful career before retiring after many dedicated years of service in 2010.

A woman of deep faith, Renee was a member of St. Edward Church for more than 60 years and most recently a member of St. Michael Parish in Canfield. 

Everyone who met Renee instantly fell in love with her; she had a beautiful heart and was a very generous woman. Her passion was the love of her two daughters Kellie and Kristen, along with her grandchildren, Dylan and Gia. Renee maintained close, cherished friendships with a close-knit group from both St. Edward and Ursuline High School, gathering monthly for luncheons until the time of her death. Renee was very active as an alumna of Ursuline High School and oversaw planning her high school reunions for over 60 years. She was honored as the recipient in 2022 for the 37th Annual Ursuline High School Distinguished Alumni of the Year. Renee generously gave her time as a member of the Mercy Health Auxiliary and as a volunteer with Easterseals. 

In her earlier years, Renee was an accomplished seamstress, designing beautiful, fashionable clothing. Renee took pride in her own personal style, with a love for fashion, makeup and hair. She was the most glamorous woman when she entered a room. She even had her own designer label, “Fashioned by Renee.” 

Renee and Anthony had a passion for dancing and loved their “disco” dancing for years. They would frequent The Living Room restaurant / nightclub in the ’70s to dance. Renee loved playing cards, whether it was with her mother, sister or husband. She enjoyed games of 500 Club and spades with cups of Sanka coffee on hand. She enjoyed cooking and baking, especially around the holidays, baking her famous Christmas cookies, which she passed along to her daughters. Renee made the holidays so memorable with the family’s full traditions. She loved gardening flowers and plants and stayed active through aerobics. Renee always found joy in swimming, especially with her granddaughter, Gia, while listening to her favorite Bruno Mars songs. 

Family was at the center of Renee’s life. She shared many joyful years traveling the world and golfing with her husband, Anthony, before raising their daughters. Renee was a devoted caretaker to her husband and took great pride in nurturing her daughters. Her grandchildren, Dylan and Gia, were the light of her life, and she cherished every moment spent with them.

Renee had a deep love for animals. She cared deeply for her dogs throughout the years and continued that love by spending time with and caring for her granddogs. She also supported animals and other charities, reflecting her compassionate and generous nature.

Renee is survived by her husband, Anthony Gutierrez; daughters, Kellie Gutierrez-Dwyer (Phillip Dwyer) of Canfield and Kristen Mancini (David) of Canfield; grandchildren, Dylan and Gia Mancini, who affectionately knew her as “Nene,” as well as her granddogs, Apollo and Rocco Gutierrez-Dwyer.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Georgia Turek; her brother, Ronald Farran; and her beloved granddog, Yoda.

Renee’s love was the force that shaped our lives, and her devotion will echo in our hearts forever. She carried her family in her heart every day of her life, and we will carry her love for the rest of ours. In her arms we found strength, and in her life, we found our greatest blessing. Her love was her legacy, and her family was her world. “Always in our hearts, gone but never forgotten until we meet again, Mom.”

Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 6, 2026, at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel, 4303 Mahoning Ave, Youngstown, OH 44515. Prayers will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the funeral home, followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Edward Church, 240 Tod Lane, Youngstown, OH 44504.

In lieu of flowers and donations, memorial contributions may be made in Renee’s name to The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project, 909 Martin Luther King Blvd. SW, Warren, OH 44485; Animal Charity of Ohio, 8469 Southern Blvd, Building 3, Youngstown, OH 44514; Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County, 812 Youngstown Kingsville Road, P.O. Box 66, Vienna, OH 44473; or to the American Heart Association.

Renee’s family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to her devoted caretaker and nurse, Mandy and Jennifer, as well as Expand Home Health Care; the Cleveland Clinic; the compassionate staff at Salem Regional Medical Center, especially Dr. Eisenhart and nurse Traci; Dr. Anthony Russo, his nurse Lori Camacci and his staff; and Southern Care Hospice for their exceptional care and support during her last moments.

Condolences may be sent to Renee’s family by visiting www.higgins-reardon.com.