Rena Margaret Tulipana

Rena M. Tulipana, 75 of Liberty, Missouri, passed away suddenly on February 26, 2023. A visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00pm, with a Rosary prayed at 6:30pm on Friday, March 10th at Church Archer Pasley Funeral Home, 119 E. Franklin St., Liberty, MO. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30am, Saturday, March 11th at St. James Catholic Church, 309 S Stewart Rd, Liberty, MO. Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, 5001 NE Cookingham Rd., Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. James Catholic School.

Rena was born October 25, 1947 to Lawrence M. and Loretta Guzel in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and grew up in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, where she graduated high school. She married the love of her life, George Paul Tulipana, Jr, on June 14, 1968. She moved to Liberty with her family in 1980. She attended William Jewell College, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Rena went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Pastoral Theology from Ave Maria University.

Rena was dedicated to her faith and served as sacristan throughout her years at St. James Catholic Church. She also worked for 20 years for the Kansas City and St. Joseph Diocese in primary education, retiring from St. James Catholic School. Rena enjoyed art and painted in her younger years. She traveled whenever she got the opportunity and enjoyed trips near and far. Rena also enjoyed relaxing with a glass of wine, watching episodes of Downton Abbey or Jeopardy and reading her favorite book, The Lord of the Rings. Rena loved her family more than anything and will be sorely missed.

She was preceded in death by her father, Lawrence M. Guzel; her mother, Loretta Schweitzer and step-father, Dick Schweitzer; and her husband, George P. Tulipana, Jr.

Rena is survived by her sons, Steve Tulipana (Cheryl), G. Paul Tulipana, III (Heidi), Kevin Tulipana (Kara), and Sean Tulipana (Christy); twelve grandchildren, Calvin, Andrea, Landon, Audra, George, Joy, Maria, Cecelia, Monica, Michael, Sophia, and Will; two great-grandchildren with one on the way, Kathrine and Link; her siblings, Geri Guzel, Larry Guzel, and Gail Love; as well as other relatives and many friends.

Fond memories and condolences for Rena may be left at www.churcharcherpasley.com, as arrangements are under the direction of Church Archer Pasley Funeral Home, 816-781-2000.