Rena Bailey

PHOENIX - Rena Bailey, 69, formerly of Urbana, passed away Friday, April 21, 2023, in Phoenix.

This obituary will supplement the one published April 30 that listed Rena Bailey's name as Rebecca (Rena) Ellen Patton Bailey. Rena changed her name from Rebecca to Rena several years ago and preferred that people call her Rena.

Rena was preceded in death by her parents, Everett Monroe Patton and Colleen Brunner; two brothers, Michael Monroe Patton and Daniel Kevin Brunner; her biological son, Sashi Manelli; and her constant companion Paddy Cake, a Chihuahua who was by her side for several years. 

Survivors include two siblings, Robert Brunner II (Kevin) of Chicago and William Brunner (Mindy) of Urbana; four stepchildren, Shane Reddell (Crystal) of Clovis, Calif., Dana Meissner (Nick) of Gilbert, Ariz., and Brandon Bailey and Zachary Bailey, both of Urbana; a niece, Rebecca Brunner of Santa Fe, N.M.; two nephews, Chad Patton (Tracy) of South Lake, Texas, and Jackson Louis Brunner of Rochelle; and a stepfather, Robert William Brunner (LaVonne) of Urbana.

Rena had a zest for life, and anyone who met her would very likely not have forgotten her. After high school, she moved to San Francisco in the early 1980s, which was a perfect place for her - defined by counterculture, art, punk rock and the flourishing gay community. Rena loved San Francisco. She was an amazing cook and could make a fantastic meal in an instant. She married Tim Reddell and helped raise her stepchildren Shane and Dana. Caring for children came natural to Rena.

Caring for her brothers also came natural to Rena. After her brother Dan in Illinois developed a brain tumor, Rena returned to Urbana to help take care of him before he passed away. Rena was recently divorced, and she married Rick Bailey after she returned to Illinois. Rena helped raise her stepchildren Zack and Brandon. A few years later, her brother Mike in Phoenix became ill and needed a lung transplant. Rena did what came naturally to her: She went to Phoenix to help Mike's wife, Jana, take care of him. 

Rena stayed in Phoenix after Mike passed away and developed a new group friends who adored her, and helped take of her when she grew ill. Rena fought the good fight for several years and never gave up until her lung condition worsened to the point that nothing else could be done. Her brother Bob was at her side at the end, and she died peacefully. Rena's good friend and neighbor, Carol, helped take care of Rena the last few months of her life, and is owed an enormous amount of gratitude for everything she did for Rena.

In the event anyone would like to make a donation in Rena's honor, please donate to the American Lung Association at lung.org.