Renee Wilke

Renée S. Wilke, 39, of Clifton, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Born in Hackensack, Renée was raised in Totowa and Wayne and attended Passaic Valley High School in Little Falls.

Throughout her young life, Renée held various jobs. She worked at Frederick Goodman Jewelers in the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, Kohl’s in Wayne, and the Donna Reed Daycare Center in Wayne. She also worked as a receptionist at Absolute Glass in Wayne – a job that meant a lot to her, and she was currently working as a warehouse coordinator for Hotels and Home Worldwide in Fairfield and at Hope Through Care in the their women’s shelter in Clifton.

Renée’s life was marked by many years of difficulty and challenge. Like so many young people, she made one particularly devastating decision that led to a long and painful struggle with drug addiction. It was a hard season—for Renée and for her family, whom she dearly loved and stayed in daily contact with throughout. Her journey included desperate times, even homelessness. But thanks to her family’s unwavering love and support—and a powerful measure of God’s grace—her life began to turn around in the past four years.

In the Holy Bible in Isaiah 61:1–3 it says:

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” 

The Bible often uses “ashes” to symbolize mourning, a state of lowliness and despair, and repentance —but also spiritual renewal and transformation. Specifically in Isaiah 61:3, God describes God giving a "crown of beauty for ashes," reminding us that even in sorrow, God can bring joy, praise, and renewal. 

God never gave up on Renée. Ultimately, she was able to receive the help she needed and rise from the ashes of her past into a new life. She was recently baptized in her church and living at the Hope through Care group home in Clifton, where she was a constant source of encouragement to others recovering from addiction. She was also training to become a case manager to help others in their journey to healing.

Renée deeply loved her family. She considered her two children, Madison and Jeremiah, among the greatest blessings in her life. Every Halloween, she would visit her parents in Florida where Madison encouraged her and Jeremiah to dress up and go trick-or-treating together. One memorable year, they went as characters from the Addams Family—it was a blast. Living in Florida, Madison and Renée Face Timed daily and spent hours together playing Minecraft and other video games. Her son Jeremiah’s name was inspired by Jeremiah 29:11, which reads:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Renée had a beautiful, encouraging spirit. She was a constant cheerleader for her mom in all of her endeavors, and was also a steady presence in the life of her grandmother “G. G.” who recently fell and needed daily care. Renée and Jeremiah spent many evenings having dinner with G. G. and caring for her.

Renée loved the natural beauty of the world, a passion that earned her the nickname from her sister Nicollette: “My Little Hippie.” Her idea of a perfect day was hiking outdoors at Garrett Mountain, something she did as often as she could.

When asked to describe Renée, her family offered words like: heartfelt, caring, loving, compassionate, strong, empathetic, encouraging, and a survivor. Renée is at peace. Though her time on earth was short and often filled with hardship, God delivered her from the ashes and gave her a crown of beauty—one she wore with a radiant smile, offering love, compassion, and grace to all those she met.

Renée was the devoted and loving mother of Madison and Jeremiah. She was the beloved daughter of Renee Albanese of Parrish, FL; William Wilke of Jacksonville, FL; and stepdaughter of Joseph Albanese of Parrish, FL. She was the cherished sister of Nicollette Kuiken and her husband Joshua, Cecile Wilke and her husband Melvin, Joseph Albanese III and his wife Randi, Michele Barth and her husband Austin, Sarah Wilke, and the late Dylan Wilke. She was the treasured granddaughter of Barbara Veltri and her husband Tony, and the late Christine Wilke. Renee was the proud and loving aunt of David, Kevin, Tyler, Brianna, Olivia, and Julianna and is also survived by her many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

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In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Renee’s name are asked to consider:

Hope Through Care/Heart of Hannah

Attn:  Kelly Moss-Brown

89 1st St.

Clifton, NJ 07011