Lenore Marie (Ottenwess) Reynolds

Lenore M. Reynolds, aged 95, passed away Monday, December 10, 2018. She was born August 28, 1923, the seventh of nine children born to Henry J. and Eleanora (Nora) Ritzenhein Ottenwess. She was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings and her husband Rolland “Rollie” Ross Reynolds of 44 years.

Lenore was a graduate of Catholic Central High School, Class of 1942. She was a vibrant, caring and giving person. She retired in 1982, after 40 years as a telephone operator and sometimes supervisor with Michigan Bell/ATT.

With an eager desire to serve others she then began what was to be an extensive list of volunteer activities.Starting with helping out young mothers in a child abuse program, a baby layette program – knitting hats for newborns, house sitting for Parade of Homes, the Adopt a Highway Program, Paws with a Cause, as a ‘Grandparent’ Teachers’ Aide at Harrison Park Elementary School, at GVSU – stuffing envelopes and answering phones, helping disabled relatives with shopping and doctor appointments, knitting numerous hats and mitten sets for the Santa Claus Girls, and more. Many of these listed were done through the Telephone Pioneers.

Her greatest joy seemed to come during her 22 years as a Senior Volunteer Police Officer for the City of Grand Rapids, Police Department. She was one of the inaugural class of 1994.

In addition, she was the “Fox 17” Pay It Forward Person of the Month in February 2014. She was also awarded the “Michigan Citizen Corps, Volunteer of the Year 2013. Awarded by Governor Snyder.

Lenore is survived by her only child, Richard “Rick” Ross Reynolds, his wife Lisa Hilliard Reynolds, 3 grandchildren, Joshua and Isaiah Reynolds and Hannah (Richard) Williams, MD, many nieces, nephews cousins and dear friends.

A Celebration of Life – Party is being planned for December 27, 2018. For more information, please contact any immediate family member.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the charity of your choice. Shriner’s Hospitals and Right to Life of Michigan are favorites of Lenore’s family.

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