Reese Rene McHenry

1973 - 2024

Reese Rene McHenry

February 14, 1973 - November 14, 2024

Snow Camp, North Carolina - The McHenry and Burnson/Gibbs families announce the passing of our beloved Reese McHenry on Thursday, November 14, 2024, following a recurring battle with cancer. She was 51 years old. We are reminded of this proverb: "A flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long." She was taken from us too soon, and without her the world is less brilliant.

Reese was born in Texas and grew up in Northern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. She came to North Carolina to visit her unofficial stepparents Greg and Sharon Lind, fell in love with Justin McHenry and stayed put. She quickly became a beloved part of the McHenry Family and the Triangle music community.

The North Carolina family members were bound to her by law, not blood, but fortunate to have held her as our own: Grandfather-in-law Raymond McHenry, mother and father-in-law Rosemary and Stan McHenry, sisters-in-law Allison (Neil) McHenry and Annika (Thomas) La Bianca, brother-in-law Mickey (Suzie) McHenry, aunts Kathy DeRubio and Tisha McHenry, uncles Brian McHenry, Kevin McHenry (Michelle), and Bill McHenry, cousins Chris Tobin, Amanda (Cody) Keesee, Paul Tobin, Caroline (Wesley) Walker, John (Rachel) McHenry, Nathan (Brooke) McHenry, Matthew McHenry, Will McHenry, and Lily Hollatz. She was an adored aunt to Micki Rose, Nina, Levi, and bonus aunt to Emileigh.

Reese fit right in from the start and became an integral part of the McHenry clan, bantering with the best of us and raising the bar on wit and kindness.

She is preceded in death by her grandmother-in-law, Constance McHenry with whom she had a special bond as both were unforgettable forces of nature, and her aunt Donna McHenry, who we lost earlier this year.

From Minnesota, she leaves behind her mother Betty Lou Burnson, brother Randy Gibbs, nieces Sadie and Lucy, uncle Earl Burnson and family, and aunt Sally Columbus and family.

Reese loved all creatures. When she wasn't writing music, performing, and touring, she was often working as a nanny or pet sitting. She leaves behind many children and pets that she held dear.

Throughout Reese's sickness, her mother-in-law Rosemary was her cancer hero, staying by her side, taking her to most appointments, and making herself available for all things. Two more heroes were her dear friends Mimi McLaughlin and Hannah Demeritt. May we all be blessed with and surrounded by such wonderful humans in our lives.

Following word of her passing, the outpouring of love from friends in and outside the music community has been remarkable. The family is comforted by and in awe of the abundance of people whose lives she touched. Thank you for sharing. We all knew how exceptional of a musician and human she was, but the big takeaway is that Reese made everyone she met (animals, too) feel seen, heard, and understood. Whether it was through her music or plain conversation, what was so special about Reese is how very special she made all of us feel. She won us all over. A powerhouse performer and person.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. December 14th at Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham. Doors will open at noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you all to honor Reese by finding ways to express your passions through music, art, sport, conversation whatever it is, just do it. And remember that you can find humor in just about anything if you look at it the right way. Reese surely did. You can donate to her medical and memorial costs by giving to her GoFundMe at https://bit.ly/ReeseMcHenryGoFundMe.