Renée Jeannine Ninov (née Lobstein), most of us called her Ma, age 87 and a longtime resident of Blairsville, Georgia, passed away on October 5, 2021 due to end stage renal failure. Renée was born December 28, 1933, in Strasburg, Alsace to Ernest Charles Lobstein and Anny Celestine Lobstein (née Kozmiensky). Renée grew up during WWII and as a young girl learned to sew, knit, and embroider. After the war, she attended the Sorbonne and became a nurse. Working in a small rural hospital outside of Paris, Ma was eating an apple while reading a book when a man approached her. I remember her telling me that he was the most handsome man she had ever seen as he stood in the sunlight and prevented her from reading. His name was Philippe Ninov and he had newly arrived from Bulgaria— they were married in Paris in 1953. Within three years, the couple immigrated to the United States and raised a family having five children. She lived in the U.S. for almost 60 years and remained close to French culture and language throughout her life.

Renée was fabulous, fierce, and a force of nature. She was notoriously on time and an early riser, fashionista in her own right, an avid swimmer, passion for photography and gardening, and a lifelong reader. Ma shared her talent and love of cooking, especially tapping into her Alsatian roots and taught classes at the Oasis Center along with French and German classes. She was a gifted piano player and loved to dance. Renée had a sharp sense of humor and the ability to say what was on her mind always kept people on their toes. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Ma was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, her daughters Anne Thur (née Ninov) and Chantale Warren (née Ninov), and her grandson Phillip Ninov. She is survived by her son Michael Ninov and wife Teresa, her daughter Christiane Ninov, her daughter Colette Perrone (née Ninov) and husband Charlie, her granddaughters Victoria Thur and Pricilla Ninov and grandson Kevin Ninov.

As per her wishes there will be no services, Renée is to be interred in France.

The Staff of Central Cremation Services is honored to be selected to provide end of life services.

(If you order flowers, you must obtain a delivery address from a family member. Do not send flowers to the crematory)