Renee Molko

She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Pauline Molko. She is survived by her son, Scott Gorelick, and his wife, Dana, and their children, Zachary (Hannah), Elyssa (Britt), and Madeline; her son, Jeffrey Gorelick, and his wife, Bari, and their children, Joshua (Emily), Gabriel, and Jonah; daughter, P'ninah Miriam Gorelick Gimbel, and her husband, Yisrael Ori Gimbel; her siblings, Robert Molko (Rose), Ronald Molko (Harriett), and Sarina Abramowitz (Sheldon, late); as well as a large extended family.

Renee was born on January 2, 1938, in Reading, PA, and she lived in Brooklyn, NY, until age ten, when her family moved to Miami Beach, FL. She was a graduate of Miami Beach High School. In 1957, Renee was married to the late Shelton Gorelick, the father of their three children, and they lived in Charlotte, NC. In 1986, Renee and Shelton divorced amicably, and Renee changed her name back to Renee Molko.

Being a lifelong learner, Renee had courageously enrolled in college as a mother of three in her 40’s, and earned a degree in Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She also studied at the Penland School of Craft. Renee’s prolific and wide-ranging career as an artist included owning an art studio wherever she lived, teaching art and creativity to children and adults in the U.S. and abroad, producing a large body of artwork, consisting primarily of large abstract acrylic paintings, and having her works exhibited numerous times across the U.S.

Until just a few months ago, Renee was still painting and teaching art, virtually, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Renee spent the last twenty years of her life in Asheville, NC, where she continued to paint, exhibit, teach, and live life fully. Renee’s open and generous heart led her to support many meaningful educational, philanthropic, and female empowerment endeavors. Renee held leadership or teaching positions with Hadassah, Temple Israel, Charlotte JCC, Spirit Square, and many others.

Above all, Renee was proud of and dedicated to her large family and many friends. She possessed remarkable gifts of beauty, grace, wisdom, expression, and courage. Renee was a woman of intention and truly achieved a life well-lived and on her own terms. She had a huge heart and gave her kindness, wisdom, advice, support, and love to countless people. She will be sorely missed and dearly remembered by all who knew her.

For those who wish to, donations may be made in Renee's memory to Greatwoods Nature, Inc. at https://greatwoodsnature.org/ or checks mailed to 8015 Sullivan St., Charlotte, NC 28215.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Temple Israel, 4901 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC. Private burial will be at the Hebrew Cemetery of Greater Charlotte. LiveStream www.templeisraelinc.org/livestream.html