Page created by: Heather Hutchinson

On October 28, 2021, Aileen Reid passed away at 79 after an operation to replace the batteries for her DBS, a neuro-stimulator implanted to treat her Parkinson’s symptoms. She had fought the disease for over 25 years, and despite the disease, was a fighter the whole time. Her beloved husband of 58 years, Bob, stood by her side providing care and support throughout the battle.

Aileen received a master's in theatre from the University of Detroit and was an extremely gifted theatrical director, trainer and coach, as well as an agent for a great many actors. Her productions of You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, 1776, Inherit the Wind, and Steel Magnolias were epic.

She was a tough cookie and always pushed everyone around her to excel. She was a complex, intelligent, and amazing woman. She taught so many so much about theatre, acting, and how to enjoy life.

Her single favorite actor was Laurence Olivier, her favorite singer was Neil Diamond who she played incessantly and saw live countless times in multiple states. A director to the end, she even managed to work a number of his secular songs in to her Catholic funeral service.

In her later years she became a student of Parkinson's disease, studying it and actively participating in fundraising for this crap disease. As an entertainment professional, she was inspired by Michael J. Fox’s effort to raise public awareness and fund research to cure Parkinson’s Disease. Although she did not believe a cure would come in her lifetime, she never gave up hope that it would indeed come.