Funeral Details

Renee Bass, beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and dedicated immigration lawyer, passed away peacefully after a courageous over four-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Renee is survived by her children: Stephanie Bass; Stephanie’s former husband, Rick Conner; Michelle Bass Goldin and her husband, Alex Goldin; Bradley Bass and his wife, Lauren Bass; and Matthew Bass and his wife, Mollie Bass. She was the proud grandmother of Melissa Goldin, Scott Goldin, Dylan Goldin, Adam Conner, Brandon Conner, Bryn Bass, Liv Bass, Skylar Bass and baby girl Bass due November 2026. She is also survived by her brother, Mel Fein, and his wife, Chery Fein; her niece, Rachel Fein; her nephew, Jason Fein; her cousin, Jack Gutman; her former husband, Harvey Bass; and many extended family members and dear friends.

Renee had a gift for making people feel welcome. With her beautiful smile, striking blue eyes, quick wit, and generous spirit, she brought warmth and laughter wherever she went. Intelligent, caring, and tenacious, she faced life with grace and a strong sense of purpose.

Her children and grandchildren were central to her life, and she took immense pride in each of them. She listened, encouraged, celebrated their accomplishments, and remained a steady presence through every stage of their lives. Her grandchildren brought her particular joy, and she treasured watching them grow and discovering the people they became.

Even during the most difficult days of her illness, Renee remained courageous and engaged with the people around her. She continued to find humor, offer comfort, and appreciate the connections that mattered most.

Renee was the daughter of Helen and Morris Fein, both Holocaust survivors. She carried their story with pride and honored their legacy through a life grounded in resilience, gratitude, determination, and family. Their experiences deepened her appreciation for the preciousness of life and the importance of preserving family bonds.

As an immigration lawyer, Renee brought intelligence, compassion, and determination to her work. She helped people navigate circumstances that could change the course of their lives, recognizing the individuals and families behind every case and working tirelessly to help them find hope and a path forward.

Renee loved traveling, especially to Europe and Israel, and treasured family vacations filled with shared experiences. She enjoyed shopping, playing cards with friends, and the excitement of the gambling boats.

Renee will be remembered for her humor, generosity, resilience, and ability to make others feel at ease. Her absence will be felt in family gatherings, conversations, celebrations, and the everyday moments she made more meaningful. The memories she created will remain a lasting source of comfort and gratitude for all who knew her.

Service Friday, 2PM at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd (at Niles Center Road), Skokie. Interment Memorial Park, Skokie. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Donation Processing Center, PO Box 5041, Boone, IA 50950-0041, pancan.org. To attend the funeral livestream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com

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