Obituary of Rene Marie Wallace (nee Clarkson)

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our ‘super hero’, René after a five-year cancer journey at age 54, two weeks ago on April 2, 2020. Cherished wife and best friend of her husband Robert Sr. (Bob) of 32 years. ‘World’s Best Mom’ to Raylene Bailey (Mark), Robert Jr. & Raymond. Adored Grammy to Peyton & Logan Bailey. Dear sister to Robert Clarkson (Sue), Ronda Everitt (Marc), Janet Lariviere (Alex) and Lee-Anne Wilson (Gord). Rene will be missed by many nieces, nephews, co-workers and friends. René considered health care her “calling”. She worked as a Personal Support Worker (PSW) at Huron Lodge for 33 years. Even though the work of a PSW is hard on the body, René thought the gratification was worth it. Plus all the friendships she made with her great colleagues were a bonus. René will be remembered by her co-workers as a loving, caring person who was a joy to be around as she made work fun. René may not have won any significant awards in her lifetime; however, she had the best qualities that a human being can possess. René was genuinely kind as she made everyone feel comfortable. She did not have a vain bone in her body and could have rocked both her urostomy and colostomy bags far into her 90’s. René was humble as she did not ask for more out of life. She was simply the sweetest person with a good sense of humour, great smile and contagious laugh. René was just 49 in the fall of 2014 when she noticed signs of her illness, later followed by a pain in her groin area. Tests were ordered and René was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer of the anal canal in spring of 2015. She received chemotherapy and radiation right away. That summer she banged the gong at the cancer centre here in Windsor to celebrate her last chemo treatment. But the cancer returned in less than a year, and despite a major surgery in London that resulted in a permanent colostomy diversion, the cancer returned again in 2018. On December 5, 2018, René was booked into Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto for a Pelvic Exenteration - a radical surgery that removed several organs from her pelvic cavity. With all the complications, setbacks and rehab, René was released from hospital care after 102 days! Thus far, René triumphed through all of her obstacles including learning how to walk again. Throughout her journey, she never complained about her suffering and always had a positive outlook. In fact, she made others feel better as she always cared more for everybody else first. René celebrated the positives and in doing so she was an inspiration to all who knew her. Sadly, the cancer returned a fourth time a few months after René’s recovery in September of 2019. At this point, it was control versus cure. She moved into Hospice on March 17, 2020. On a beautiful, warm and sunny day on April 2, friends and family gathered in a safe manner with signs and banners to let René know they were thinking of her during these hard times with visitor regulations because pandemic or not, everyone deserves to feel loved. René chose to pass that evening after a beautiful sendoff from everyone she loved and with her husband by her side. René will be remembered by swimming in her pool, walking her dogs, playing road hockey with her kids, watching Toronto Maple Leaf games with Bob, laughing with her siblings & friends until she cries, and going on road trips and mini adventures with her grandchildren. René was asked about her opinion on her surgeries and looking back she said she was glad she had both as they bought her time to watch those babies grow a little bit more. Loved, laughed, lived a full but too short of a life. A special thank you to all the doctors, nurses and volunteers at Windsor Hospice for their exceptional care. Cremation has taken place along with the gift of clay handprints from her grandchildren as per René’s wishes. You can find René gardening in her front yard or playing with Peyton & Logan in their backyard. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at Royal Canadian Legion Ambassador Branch 143. Arrangements entrusted to SIMPLE CHOICE (Dougall) 519-254-2585. Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with the family at www.simplechoicecremation.ca.