Renee E. Mcdowell

Renee Elizabeth McDowell, 40, of Hazel Crest, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly on September 14, 2025. She was born on October 17, 1984, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Steven and the late Kiahann McDowell.

Renee spent her early years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin before moving with her family to Hazel Crest, Illinois. She attended St. Joseph's Catholic School and Marian Catholic High School. A true artist at heart, she pursued her passions at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida, graduating with a major in Theater.

Following college, Renee chased her dreams to Los Angeles, California, where she became an aspiring actress. She worked as an extra and acted in several films and TV shows, including Grey's Anatomy, Contagion, Insecure, Judge Judy, etc. Her love for the stage never waned, and after returning to the Chicago area, she joined the Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Program of Yachad Chicago and performed in Joseph and the Technicolor DreamCoat, The Wizard of OZ, and Newsies. She also found a new love of scaring as a memorable scare actor at the Old Joliet Haunted Prison.

Renee was a true dreamer who saw no limits to what she could achieve. She was a woman of many aspirations—an actress, a lawyer, a diplomat, and a politician—believing that nothing was out of her reach. Known for her honesty and never mincing her words, she was a one-of-a-kind person with a unique ability to make anyone laugh.

Beyond her creative pursuits, Renee's greatest joys were her family. She was immensely proud of her work in the theater and haunted houses but was also a devoted aunt to her niece and nephew, Remi and Jett Love, and her cherished doggie nephews and niece, Thor, Brody and Nova.

Renee is survived by her loving father, Steven McDowell; her sisters, Joanna McDowell and her husband, Austin Hickey, and Rachel Love and her husband, Joe Love; and her niece and nephew, Remi and Jett Love. She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Kiahann McDowell.

Visitation will be held at Tews-Ryan Funeral Home, 18230 S. Dixie Hwy, Homewood, Illinois 60430, on Friday, September 26, from 3 to 8 p.m. Chapel Prayers will be held at the funeral home Saturday, September 27th 11:15 a.m. A funeral mass will take place at 11:45 a.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 17951 Dixie Hwy, Homewood, IL 60430. Interment Assumption Cemetery.

Flower donations are welcome, and monetary donations can be made in Renee's name to her acting group at Yachad Chicago at the following link and designating Chicago as the recipient: yachad.org/donate