Ahja Anna Reno passed away July 8, 2014. Family and friends knew of her personal struggles with life, but in spite of this she offered rays of sunlight, infectious laughter and kind words to everyone around her. Her deepest love was her son, Cristopher. She was born June 22, 1980, daughter of Ron Zang (Dexter) and Patricia Kramer (Ypsilanti), and sister to Adam Zang and Martin Zang. She is survived by her son, Cristopher Correll. Ahja was married to Derek Reno, deceased, and was a close friend to Reece Correll, former husband, and father to her son. A memorial service will be held at 242 Community Church of Ann Arbor, located at 410 S Maple Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, on August 2, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks that you make a donation to Cristopher’s education fund at http://www.gofundme.com/bau70o.
To celebrate and recognize her life, please share your stories, photos, and thoughts about Ahja.
Tributes
Leave a tributeMy daughter, Anna, called me today to let me know that Ahja left us. I am so sorry. I have no words to express the sadness and loss that you, Adam and Martin and the rest of your family must feel at this time. I pray for you and your family, for your beautiful daughter and her brilliant soul as she shines all around us every day and twinkles in the stars each and every night, forever.
Our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts are with you and we sincerely wish you peace at this sad time. Marlee, Aiden, Cassie and Tim Standke
The song is titled "Seven Spanish Angels" and it is performed by Willie Nelson and Ray Charles.
Here is the link: http://youtu.be/x8A9Y1Dq_cQ
(You have to copy and paste it)
May Ahja be at rest now and our memories of her remain in our hearts.
I'm so sorry for your loss and am praying for you and yours. Although I never knew her as adult, Ahja was a beautiful child and may you find multiple blessings in Cristopher, your grandchild.
Krista Stricklen (formerly Kramer)
Ahja was a sincere, loving friend and kindred spirit who always greeted me with a hug. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know and love her.
I am so sorry for your loss.
May your spirit so sweet and beautiful find peace with in Gods kingdom, if you can will you tell chuck we miss him , love him and constantly still include him in all we do... ☆♡☆
Love, Jimmy and Rivka
Corrine Haas (Racine)
I pray now for God to comfort her family, her mother who was my Mom's mid wife & a really nice lady to my family, and to her young son who I can't even imagine his hurt.
Leave a Tribute
Days with Ahja at Broadway
Ahja and I lived together in my parent's home on Broadway during a period of both great trial and courage and strength in both of our lives. I was so lucky to have found her and chanced to make this arrangement with her. She was a great refuge to me.
On many evenings there I would find her deep in reflection and working hard on herself through a book, making lists of ways she sought to grow, in prayer alone or with others. She fought harder than many for water from a deeper well. We went together from struggling through the day to get through a waitressing shift with some semblance of emotional intelligence to exponential spiritual, professional, and social growth in such a short period. She was soon a nurse and a mentor to other women who struggled.
She drove me towards service when I was lost in self. She embodied such depth of focus on getting well that it was hard to not follow suit and attempt to keep pace with her movement towards better. We drank chamomile tea, ran frequently, and fell in love with our respective partners there. A great deal of sushi was consumed and many nights when I heard her bubbly laughter coming from the back porch, I was so comforted to share a home with her.
In my favorite mental image of her she is beaming ear to ear at my wedding shower, many months pregnant with Cris and glowing in the anticipation of her child's birth. She was so anguishingly beautiful that day. So full of that ethereal delicate grace we all saw in her.
I will remember her as a seeker and a mystic in her own right. Ahja, you will always be a light to me. Reece, I will never forget those years and send such love to you and your family. Cris, your mother fought harder than any of us may ever understand. May her epic grace that shone through all of it be a light to your path.
I will miss you Ahja
Ahja was one of my closest friends and she has left a huge mark on my life. I was so honored to be there through her successes and share in her struggles, as she was for me for over ten years. Her love for Cristopher amazed me. I am so sorry her pain was so great and hope she is finally at peace. A part of her wil be with me and my son forever.