Renate Amsden-Laing, 76, of Williamsburg, Virginia, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of August 26, 2026. She was born on November 15, 1949, in Bamberg, Germany, to Stefan and Maria Kaluza.
Renate was one of a kind. She was endlessly laughing and joking and making light of any situation with her unforgettable humor. She had the deepest and fiercest love for her family. She had an immeasurable curiosity about life, and was so excited experiencing the wonders that she witnessed in her lifetime. She was always helping others, through charity and by supporting and remaining strong for her family. She was incredibly intelligent, extremely wise, quick-witted, sharp-minded, and loved learning new things.
Renate loved life. She loved to run, and was an avid runner her entire life. She loved relaxing in her chair chatting with her family or reading a book or her Bible. She loved having pasta with a glass-or two-of wine. She loved driving fast, no matter how stressed it made the family members who happened to be in the car with her. She loved learning about new technology and figuring out how to use it. She loved God, and that love and faith comforted her throughout her life.
Family was the heart of Renate/Mom/Oma/Ama’s life. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who took great pride in the people she loved. She leaves behind her daughters, Dominique, Bobbie, and Angela; sons-in-law, Marty and Alex; granddaughter, Renate; grandsons, Walter, Nick, Stefan, Chris, and Michael; granddaughters-in-law, Ruta and Shelby; grandson-in-law, Gilbert; and her beloved great-grandchildren, Heidi, Sebastian, Lilian, Walter, Genevieve, Ripley, Barrett, Emmett, Elowyn, Ezekiel, and Elodie. She also leaves behind countless friends, extended family members, and loved ones whose lives were made brighter by knowing her.
Renate was preceded in death by her parents, Stefan and Maria Kaluza, and her beloved husband, Richard Laing.
The family will hold a private celebration of Renate’s life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization that Renate was incredibly passionate about.
