December 19, 1954 - June 26, 2023
It is with profound sadness that we announce the loss of our beloved Renee at age 68. Renee passed quietly in the evening of June 26th after a short but courageous battle with Cancer.
Renee (Rosina) Robertson (nee O'Donnell) was born in Bonnyrigg Scotland on 19th of December 1954. She was raised with her four sisters Betty, Anne, Margaret and June by her father Bobby in Leven, a town on the east coast of Scotland. From a young age Renee showed a deep interest in caring for others whenever she could. So, it was no surprise when at age 15, Renee left school and enrolled at Fod House in Dunfermline a pre-nursing college providing further education focused on nursing skills. She started her nursing training soon thereafter and graduated as an RN in 1976 the same year she married her husband of 47 years, Gordon. After marrying, Renee and Gordon traveled often overseas and Renee always found work as a nurse. She worked in obstetrics as a civilian nurse for the American Military in West Berlin and as a primary school nurse in Abu Dhabi, UAE. She was always quickly recognized for her excellent nursing skills, compassion and work ethic and was highly respected by her peers and employers. In 1979 she gave birth to their first child, a girl Nicola, and continued to work as a community nurse while raising her daughter. In 1985 she gave birth to her second child, a son Gary. Renee, Gordon and the family emigrated to Canada in 1987 and it was Renee's nursing qualifications that provided the opportunity for them to be accepted to Canada. They arrived in Regina Saskatchewan in May of 1987 where she worked for a local nursing agency.
The family moved to the Calgary area in 1989 and settled in Redwood Meadows, a small and beautiful hamlet west of the city. Renee found employment with Extendicare working at the Cedars Villa nursing home, one of Calgary's largest facilities and worked as night shift charge nurse, a role she maintained and enjoyed for 18 years.
During this time Renee found an undiscovered passion, that of a Volunteer Firefighter. She joined Redwood Meadows Emergency Services in 1990 and served continuously for 17 years. She was a very active member, responding to structure fires, grass fires, medical calls and vehicle accidents. Her medical skills, work ethic, courage and personality never failed to impress her fellow firefighters. She was awarded 3 service medals by the Province of Alberta for her dedication and commitment and was always proud to say she was a Firefighter.
In 2007 Renee and Gordon moved to Vancouver Island and settled in Courtenay in the Comox Valley. She worked as a senior RN at Cumberland Lodge long term care home until she retired in 2019 after 43 years as an RN. She loved to walk and did so daily, rain or shine. Her other passion was her family and she loved to spoil her two grandchildren Maya and Leo, whom she loved deeply. She liked nothing more than to make up parcels for them knowing how excited they would be to get a package of surprises from Gran. She and Gordon would visit with the family at every opportunity and loved to have them come each summer to Courtenay to spend time at the beach.
Renee was kind to everyone and would go out of her way to brighten someone else's day often with the smallest but most meaningful gestures, her kindness knew no bounds.
Renee's family and friends would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses, and staff of both the Royal Jubilee, Victoria and Comox Valley Hospital, for their kind, compassionate and professional care during her battle. They were amazing.
Renee requested to not have a service and for people, if so choosing, to donate to a charity of their choice in her name. A celebration of life may be held at a later date.
"The brightest stars burn the quickest".