Nina Rose Warren

Nina Rose Warren was the shining light and radiant energy of our family.
 Her sense of humor, zest for life, and caring spirit was a part of her
DNA from the very beginning, a throughline from her mother to her
siblings.

She was born February 25th, 1943 to the late Ivanona Kirby (neé
Crawford) and Frank Essic Johnson in Highland Park, MI. She was the baby
of three children, arriving after her sister Marian Jewel and brother
Gerald Essex.

From Highland Park, they moved to Frederick Street in Detroit, MI where
the Johnson Clan spent countless hours exploring all of the nearby
cultural attractions in their neighborhood, like the Detroit Institute
of Arts and Main Branch of the Detroit Public Library. This sparked the
genesis of Rosie becoming an avid, lifelong reader, puzzler, and patron
of the arts. She instilled her appreciation of the arts and education in
her own children.

"Rosie", as she was affectionately known, was blessed to have recognized
her passion for helping others at an early age. A proud student of
Detroit Public Schools, she attended Balch Elementary, McMichael Junior
High, and was a graduate of Cass Technical High School, matriculating in
the January Class of 1961, Home Economics curriculum. While at Cass,
Rosie was a member of the Cass Caperettes Club and served as a school
office assistant.

Following graduation, Rosie and her big sister Marian moved to New York
and embarked on the adventure of their time! They navigated life as
young women in the big city, met new friends, reunited with friends of
old, partied, worked hard , and partied some more! Everyone who knew
Rosie knew she loved a good party and throughout her life, threw some
epic shindigs for her friends and co-workers!

Rosie worked in a tie factory while she saved up to attend nursing
school. It was during this time she met and married Bob Warren.
Eventually, Rosie successfully completed her training and graduated from
Harlem Hospital School of Nursing. Thus, she began her long, illustrious
nursing career in the neonatal unit at Harlem Hospital.

Rosie and Bob's union unraveled soon thereafter, and they divorced to
traverse their own desired paths. Rosie went on to be employed for many
years at the New York Blood Center in their blood banking program.

Years later, Rosie met a handsome, young Haitian gentleman by the name
of Raymond René while filling up her car. She admired how soft his
hands were for a working man. One evening, during a blackout, Raymond
came to check on her, whisked her away on the back of his motorcycle and
the rest was history.

They got married, and made their home in The Bronx at 1010 Sherman Ave,
where they created Vladimir and a little while later, Natacha.

As it happens, after several rewarding years together, the marriage
ended. However, over the years, Raymond and Rosie retained a healthy and
fierce respect for one another while they successfully co-parented their
children.

Rosie returned from New York to her family and roots in Detroit, where
she purchased her home at 18664 Shields in the Krainz Woods community
and immersed her kids in all the cultural, educational, and recreational
opportunities Detroit had to offer.

Upon her arrival, Rosie initially worked as a lunch aid at Atkinson
Elementary School, where she ensured all the students ate their veggies,
especially her own! She then became employed as a registered nurse with
the City of Detroit Department of Health. She spent the majority of this
phase of her career at Bruce Douglas Health Center and Herman Keifer
Hospital. She valued her work a great deal, and was appreciated and
revered by patients and co-workers alike. She finally took a well-earned
retirement in 2010.

Rosie also loved to travel and, throughout her young and mid-adulthood,
spent many a trip traveling to The Bahamas, her favorite destination by
far. She also made it to California, Hawaii, Virginia, Texas and Florida
to visit her progeny.

Rosie was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, served as a board member and
local auditor for the Selective Service and was a member of AFSCME Local
273.

Rosie was an extremely loving, thoughtful, intelligent, hardworking,
generous, and selfless woman. She lived a fullfilling life on her own
terms and was the best mom, daughter, sister, aunt,  cousin, and nurse
anyone could ask for!

After both her brother and sister made their transitions in 2021,
Rosie's exuberant life force began to dim and her health significantly
declined. She received her wings on Thursday, November 9, 2023.

She leaves to cherish her life and memories her beloved children,
Vladimir René (Alethea), Natacha René (Oneil Howe); Grandchildren
Michael Munroe and Gabriel René; Sister-In-Love Lois Johnson; Nieces &
Nephews Cynthia "Cyndi" Morrell (Keith), Gerald "Choo-Choo" Johnson Jr.,
Natalie "Natie" Ellington, Gina Ballard-Reese, Traci Ballard; Grand
Nieces/Nephews: Kristopher Morrell (Michael, Gabriel Morrell), Kirby &
Carmen Morrell, Kameron Caldwell, Arianna Ellington, Azaria Fortner,
Maurice, Avery, & Tiffani Dowell, Evan & Ethan Reese; Cousins Rachelle
Kinney (Aaron, Aman, Ashli, Alaina), Kathy Slate (Bennie), Angela
(Anthony, André, Alvin) & Adrienne Anderson (Danika); Trusted and
Befriended Caregivers, Atasa Dennison, Nada Bishop-Taylor and Jamie
Sullivan; Special Friends, Julia Kersey, Pat Kyle, Gertrude Williams and
Eva Yates; along with a host of other loved ones, friends and
colleagues. Last but not least, Sweetie, the cat and companion Rosie
took in after her sister, Marian, passed. Sweetie was there for both
Rosie and Marian in their final years.