Lois Arlene Reid

Lois Arlene (VanAtta) Reid left this world December 3, 2024 at the age of 98 years and almost eight months, having impacted those she met with her infectious laugh, her positive attitude, her simplicity and innocence, her faith and most of all her love.

Born on April 6, 1926, in South Lyon, Michigan to Glen and Veda (Farley) VanAtta, Lois joined her sister, Florene to complete the VanAtta family. They lived in the town of South Lyon for a few years and then moved out to a one room, primitive house on her Grandfather Farley’s farm. Eventually, a new house was constructed, complete with indoor plumbing and separate bedrooms right next door to her grandparents historic Farley farm built in the 1800’s. She helped her grandfather with the outside farm chores which included keeping the team of horses steady as the wagon was loaded with crops. She also developed a love of flowers with grandmother. Her dad worked with his father at the VanAtta meat market and helped her develop quick mental adding skills. Her mom taught her needlework, cooking and baking. Lois was involved with 4-H for homemaking skills, and also became an accomplished piano player for weddings and other events.

Lois attended a one-room school house on the corner of Pontiac Trail and 8 Mile. She won a dictionary for the Detroit Regional Spelling Bee. She graduated from South Lyon High School. Lois took the train to attend Western Michigan University, where she became the first in her family to graduate with a college degree.

After graduation, Lois found an elementary school teaching job in Bay City. When one of her older teaching friends was dating a man named Clair Reid from Pontiac, he asked if she knew of any nice young women that he could introduce to his son, Robert. Thus began a beautiful courtship and marriage in 1952 that lasted until her beloved Bobby passed in 2012. The wedding was held in her grandparents parlor on a very hot and steamy day. After a honeymoon in the Upper Peninsula, they moved to an apartment in Royal Oak. In 1954, Bob built a new brick home at 5640 Wright Street in Troy, doing most of the labor himself and using the headlights of the car to keep working in the dark after his day job.

Eventually, they were joined by two daughters, Arlene and Gail. Bob and Lois created a wonderful life full of love for their family. They enjoyed square dancing and playing pinochle with the neighbors. When they moved to Avon Township (Now Rochester Hills) in the 60’s, they continued being involved in the community and with friends. The Elks Club, The Red Stocking Revue, Rochester Centennial activities and the Lions Club are just a few of the many interests they were involved with.

Lois worked as an elementary teacher in the Troy School District for over 32 years, mostly in 1st grade and Kindergarten. She taught at Colerain, Morse, Costello, Hill, and Wass elementary schools, retiring in 1984. She had an original musical play published in the Instructor magazine. She made up many songs and poems for both personal and professional purposes. Lois obtained her Masters Degree at University of Michigan and created many different projects for her students. Her own children loved helping her prepare her classroom every September and they also became teachers, as did with one of her grand daughters. Lois was a devoted mom and faithful member of the historic First Troy Methodist Church and also the Lake Orion United Methodist church. Lois was always one to do things for others, preparing many a dish to take to those who were bereaved or sick.

After retirement, Bob and Lois found a winter paradise in their Kona, Hawaii condo and spent many winters there. Lois helped at a preschool and sang in the church choir. In their later years, they traded Hawaii for Fort Myers, Florida where they continued playing golf and enjoying the warmer winter weather.

Bob and Lois were devoted, loving, and attentive grandparents to their four grandchildren. They created many wonderful memories in Michigan, Hawaii, and Florida. Lois was the center of many holiday gatherings, creating many special and funny traditions the family continues to carry on today. One of her most notable achievements was the annual Cookie Day - she would spend weeks baking hundreds of dozens of cookies. The whole family would gather to help frost, decorate, and package the cookies to deliver to family and friends.

A few years after Bob’s passing, Lois moved to Waltonwood University Independent Living, followed by assisted living the last few years. She was well-loved by staff and enjoyed all the many activities like cards, Bingo and musical performances.

She will be greatly missed by many, especially her family, daughters Arlene Ball and Gail (Mario) Vettraino, grandchildren Jenni (Jon) Galiotto, Beth (Seth) Foster, Teresa (Mike) Siekierzynski, and Rob (Meredith) Cordes who have many fond memories of making and decorating cookies, reading, playing cards, laughing and singing. She was a beloved Gigi to her great grandchildren - Jacob Siekierzynski, Dax Galiotto, Everett Foster and Claire Cordes. Her sister in law, Donna Shadwell, many nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, co workers, fellow golfers, caretakers and pretty much anyone who has come in contact with Lois has fond memories to share. She was predeceased by parents and sister, her beloved husband, Robert, and her son in law, Jim along with Bob’s brothers and their wives.

A visitation for Lois will be held Thursday, December 5, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Pixley Funeral Home, 3530 Auburn Rd., Auburn Hills, Michigan 48307. A funeral visitation will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 9:00 AM until the time of service at 10:00am at Lake Orion United Methodist Church, 140 E Flint St, Lake Orion, MI 48362.