Renee Desantis

Renee–Hanel-DeSantis (Oma): Immigrant, U.S. Citizen, Mother, Grandmother, Godmother and Friend, age 74, of Erie, passed away February 1, 2018 at LECOM at Presque Isle.

She was born in Germany, on March 13, 1943 a daughter of the late Garehart and Freida (Hanel) Pope. 

She had worked at the Spa Athletic Club and for the City of Erie Traffic Court. Renee wishes to thank her Capt. Robert Kuhn, whom she worked for and was in charge of traffic court. A special thank you to Father G. Wright of St. Joseph Church for helping her find her way.  A thank you to Dr. Gary Esper, D.O. who always understood her human frailty and who took care of her for 22 years, always there and giving his best.  Gary, you are an example of what a Doctor should be.  And to his medical secretary, Kelly, who treated Renee like she was her little mother, always made sure that Renee had what was needed.

In addition to her parents: she was also preceded in death by grandparents Joseph and Michaelina (Vicerek) Hanel, her Aunt Hildegard (Hanel Roemer), who raised her as her own, two uncles, Hans Hanel and Antoun Hanel. 

She is survived by her two sons, Bryan DeSantis, and Scott DeSantis and his wife Nanci Gomez, who has given her the greatest gift, her twin granddaughters; Solana Renee DeSantis and Sophia Maria DeSantis, they truly made the years of life worth living.  She is also survived by an Aunt Kathy (Eisert) Hanel and many cousins, Joseph, Betty, John, Robert, Heidi Hanel, Carol Wann and Cathy Becker, both of Erie.  She is also survived by her best friend of 52 years, Colleen Pollatto and her son Anthony Pollatto, Renee’s Godson;   Linda Protrowski, a good neighbor and friend, her two children, Tylor and Kendra, also her God children Joann Haulik, LuAnn DePalma, Jeffrey Wright of Hair Raizerz, also many good friends. 

A Mass of Christian Burial and Interment at Calvary Cemetery were private for the family only. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph’s Bread of Life Church, 147 West 24^th St. Erie PA 16502.

Arrangements were entrusted to Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 602 West 10^th St. Erie, PA 16502.

Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhomes.com.