When someone we love dies, the wish was wanting 'just a little more time' with them. When they are gone from this earth, questions will never be answered, memories will have more significance and their absence will always leave a void.

'Just a little more time' ceased on July 14 ^th 2021 for Renee (aka Irene A. Markitan).

Renee was beloved by many, never short on friends, opinions or advice. She always lent a hand, offered a meal and turned many a stranger into a comrade.

Renee had a charm about her; a wit that put a smile on even the grumpiest persons face. She spent her life caring about others, or wait, was it telling them what to do? Either way to know Renee was to JUST love her as she was, opinions and all.

Renee grew up on Vincellette St in Bridgeport CT, where she learned to get in lots of good trouble, befriended all the neighborhood kids and at 13 years old, met lifelong partner in crime and accomplice Noreen Murphy. Through this friendship, Renee found her way (by telling a tiny little fib about her faith) onto a Catholic Youth Organization sports team, just to be able to play her passion, softball. Years later, she confessed and admitted her strong faith to the Russian Orthodox religion, which she continued until her passing.

Her summers were spent with close cousins Judy & Mary Niziolek and younger sister Vera, carousing around New Haven's Light House Park, West Haven's Savin Rock and with their grandmother Baba (Irene Sakovich- Kuzmin).

Renee started her career working at a local Bridgeport cleaners and then in the 1960' found a job at Yankee Metal, where she worked until becoming a Real Estate agent, and getting her first real estate job at Elmer R Craw in Stratford.  Renee lived in Milford and become co -owner with her friend Sophie Capolla of La Renso's restaurant on Bridgeport Ave in Milford. The bar always had a full crowd and the tables were never empty.

Renee later moved to Marina Drive in Stratford, where for 40 years her house was a central meeting place for anyone who passed by or lived in the 'hood. Mail carriers, delivery folk, and children alike always knew her door was open, and a snack was to be had.

Renee absolutely loved hosting yearly Memorial Day & July 4 ^th backyard picnics. Dozens of her softball buddies would show up, and many a straggler was known to stay for days. She proudly & loudly celebrated America, friends and fun. Renee was never without a pet and her love of Keeshond dogs was evident in the many Keeshond tributes in her home.

Rene's devotion to her mother (Vera) brought her back as a regular and active member of St. John's Orthodox Church in Stratford. She met and became a dedicated parishioner under Father Peter Paproski (wife Carol) and was a Saturday church 'regular', for many a-long time.

In the years recent, due to her health- she retired from being a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker Realty Co.

Renee Markitan, age 76, of Stratford, passed away peacefully in her home in the presence of family and friends on July 14, 2021. Renee was born in New Haven on August 2, 1944, to the late Michael and Vera (Sakovich) Markitan.

Survivors include her niece Cheryl Ann Fernandes, nephew Michael Fernandes (Denise), great-niece Haley Fernandes (who as a nurse cared for and assisted during her final years),

and great-nephew Cody Fernandes (Amber) and step great-niece Britney Nott (who's love of baseball is because of Renee). In addition to her parents, Renee was predeceased by her beloved sister, Vera H Fernandes, whom she was very close to and missed terribly after her passing.

Rene also has countless friends & work associates who will greatly miss her wit, humor and secret keeping.

There will be a Requiem Funeral Service to celebrate her life on Friday, July 16, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. meeting directly as St. John The Baptist Carpatho- Russian Orthodox Church 1240 Broadbridge Avenue Stratford.

Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, New Haven. The Adzima Funeral Home- Stratford has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Directly after the interment, please join together back at St John The Baptist (1240 Broadridge Ave Stratford) for a reception including coffee, light refreshments, stories, memories, laughter and even a few tears- in celebration of Renee and her love of all.

To assist in funeral expenses, contributions can be made directly to Haley Fernandes. Donations can be made in to Nutmeg Spay Neuter Clinic- 25 Charles St, Stratford, CT 06615 https://www.nutmegclinic.org/Donate or Saint John the Baptist Orthodox Church 1240 Broadbridge Avenue Stratford, CT, 06615 http://www.sjoc.org/about-us/church-shopping