Irene "Renee née Orloff" Felice

Irene "Renee" Felice (née Orloff)

Irene "Renee" Felice, beloved mother and friend, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2026, of natural causes while in hospice care, surrounded by the love of her family.

Renee was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, the second youngest of twelve children. She graduated from East High School in 1955 and began her working life at the General Electric plant in Erie.

In 1958, she married the love of her life, Nick Felice, and together they embarked on a new chapter in Southern California. They settled in Van Nuys, where they built a home filled with love and raised their four children-three sons and a daughter. The family were devoted members of St. Bridget of Sweden Parish, where all of their children attended school.

Raised in the Russian Greek Orthodox faith, Renee later converted to Catholicism in the 1970s, embracing her spiritual journey with quiet devotion.

After dedicating many years to raising her family, Renee returned to the workforce as a manager at WallPride, a wallpaper design and distribution center in Van Nuys, where she worked until her retirement.

Renee found joy in life's simple pleasures-cooking for her family, tending her garden, and spending time with friends and relatives. She was an avid shopper with a special fondness for local thrift stores, always on the hunt for a good find. She and her husband Nick shared a love of travel, visiting destinations across the country, including memorable trips to Hawaii and Hilton Head-both marked by their unexpected encounters with hurricanes. They also celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Southern Italy, a journey she cherished deeply.

After the passing of her husband Nick in 2011, Renee remained in the family home they had shared for 54 years. Following a hip injury, she moved to live with her daughter and family, spending her final seven years between Bellevue, Washington, and Scottsdale, Arizona.

Renee was preceded in death by her husband, Nick; her sons, Mark and Salvatore; and all eleven of her siblings. She is survived by her loving children, Nick and his wife Evelyn Friel, and Kathryn and her husband Craig Cherney, as well as extended family and friends who will miss her dearly.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on April 9th at San Fernando Mission Church. Burial will follow at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, with a nearby reception afterward for family and friends.

Renee will be remembered for her resilience, warmth, sense of humor, and the deep love she held for her family.