Ralene Sills

Ralene (Rae) Agnes Sills died October 28, 2019, at Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was 80 years old. She was born on December 1, 1938, to Raymond W. Springer and Emily Ann Springer, in Flint, Michigan. Rae grew up in Flint, Michigan, and graduated from Beecher High School in Mount Morris, Michigan. She married Arthur Gilmour Sills in 1958 in Flint. Rae is survived by two children, Hazen Sills (Jill), in Grand Haven, Michigan, and Elizabeth Sills, in Kalamazoo, Michigan; two grandchildren, Whitney Sills and Tyler Sills (Stacy); and one great-grandchild, Hazen; two sisters, Bonnie Urban (Richard) and Delores Rudder; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Rae was predeceased by her parents; a sister, Patricia Bacon, and two brothers, Paul Springer and Thomas Springer. Rae's great passion -- and enduring legacy -- was the arts. She was a professional artist for more than 50 years. She was accomplished in many media, including oil, acrylic and watercolor painting. Her works were displayed at many major festivals and art exhibitions. Rae's pastel portraits touched many lives, as family treasures. And teaching these skills to others was one of her most fulfilling endeavors. She found her community among her students and colleagues. A celebration of Rae's life will be held on November 16 from 12pm to 5 pm at the Flint Institute of Art, 1120 East Kearsley Street in Flint, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in her honor to The Weston A. Price Foundation or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Rae's family thanks Bronson Methodist Hospital and Rose Arbor Hospice for her caring care.