Renee Kissiah Bjostad

Renee Kissiah Bjostad passed away peacefully in her own home in Wellford, SC on Thursday, March 21, 2024. She was attended by her in-home caregiver and dear friend April Rollins, who comforted her in her final moments. 

Renee was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on November 7, 1950, as Renee Hope Kissiah. A graduate of Cradock High School in Portsmouth, she lived a long and vibrant life on her terms and was a loving mother, daughter, wife, and human. She enjoyed live music, the theater, cruising, and the companionship of many dogs and cats, including Annabelle, Brat, Shadow, Stormy, and Luna. For much of her life, she served as a full-time homemaker for a military family, which is a full-time job in and of itself, and she devoted enormous energy and care to her family. After her children were grown, she served as a dialysis tech and clinic administrator. As a recovering alcoholic, she was an inspiration for always picking herself back up and trying again when she struggled. Both before and during her retirement, she worked tirelessly to help other alcoholics with their journeys to sobriety. She also served as a caregiver for her mother, Marie Silverdahl, during the final years of her life. She is remembered fondly as a fierce and devoted mom to her children.

Renee was preceded in death by her father, Miles Kissiah, and her mother, Gloria Marie Silverdahl (nee Barrett). She is survived by her two children: , her daughter, Kira Marjorie Bjostad of Atlanta, Georgia, and her son Scott Irvin Romich, and his wife Jennifer of Tampa, Florida. She also leaves two grandchildren, Caitlin Deschnow and her husband Daniel of Tampa, FL, and Logan Romich of Tampa, FL, and her great-grandchild, Isla Rose Deschnow. In addition, she leaves behind her brother, Irvin Kissiah, her nephew Brandon Kissiah, and her uncle, Jimmy Barrett. She is also mourned by several dear friends including Marie Brown, John Cummings, April Rollins, Sheila Fish, Debbie Davis, and Judy Hallenbeck. Palliative care was provided by Pathway Hospice. 

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, any donation be made to your favorite charity, especially any that work with recovering addicts or alcoholics.