Renee Louise Paris

Farewell Renee--You and I had some good times back in the eighties. How well I remember the big house, constantly filled with people. We enjoyed many parties together. I often wonder what happened to your good friend, Jenny Whittall. You will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing you.

My first encounter with Renee was in the bustling kitchen at Cedar Crescent (1983), where I was privileged to be invited to join the lively salon of the huge dining room table. Betty presided, but Renee ran the show. So many moons, events and characters later--she was an elegant, wise and generous friend. I will be forever grateful for her post-op help after my hip replacement.

Her comments were always surprising, unique and concise. When she was recovering from her first bout with serous disease...if you asked what/how she was doing she said "I'm working on my complexion." Whenever I negotiate a contract, I still hear her asking "Are you charging what you're worth?." My heart goes out to the whole Paris family, she will be deeply missed by so many.

Dear Paris' All,
My deepest sympathy at the loss of your uniquely & marvelously wonderful Renee. Far, far too early!
much love, Susan

My memories of Renee are of a really honest and acute critic for writers, and of times when I would go over to Cedar Crescent with my friend David Knox - who I'm sure joins me in heartfelt and happy memories of those times in her company.
Italy

My condolences to all of Renee's family, she will be sorely missed by us all. I remember walking through the predawn jungle of Guatemala with Renee, then climbing the highest pyramid of Tikal to watch the sun come up. That is how I will remember her, sitting on those ancient stone steps with the sun on her face. May her travels be just begun.

I'm so sorry to hear this sad news - she had a fabulous zest for life - I'm grateful to have know and worked with her.

many blessings and love to all who loved Renee.

I am so sorry for the loss of Renee - she was truly a force of nature, and will be missed by the many, many people she touched.

Renee is a part of happy childhood memories of LFA, Marguerite and Cedar Crescent--always the "big sister", always fun and daring, someone we truly looked up to.

My sympathy and prayers to the family.

Eileen Kenney Bitten

Unique with such steady intelligence all tempered with such a marvelous sense of personal style and inherent sophistication.....Renee you added so much to our LFA classroom discussions.....you will never be forgotten. Merci mille fois, Jackie Mackin Byrn - class of '62

Renee, as 'eldest sister', was 14 years older than me, and a world apart in sophistication, life experience and glamour. I will never ever ever forget her taking me (among a gaggle of much younger sibs) to my first theatrical experience, a puppet show on the top floor of a building on Seymour St. Perhaps I was 6 or 7. The bldg still exists. Whenever I drive by, literally 1,000's of times over the past 45-odd years, I recall how Renee unlocked a world of wonder for me. She gave us the gift of a riveting experience: the darkened room; a spotlight; a transformative artist; and an intellectual awakening to the possibility of art. The theatre community was her real tribe.

Dear Renée...
I will always love you.
Aloha Oe ~
Jenny

This photo was taken in the summer of 1971 by Elke & contributed by Michael Hayden, many thanks.

Beautiful Renee...my first Paris friend! My heart breaks to learn that you have left us, but Heaven will be so much the better and livelier place for your extended run in the true Theatre of the Stars. And truly you were a star here on earth as well. I will never forget meeting you, in the days of the revolutions. I was struck by your exotic beauty, and began to study you for clues as to your amazing presence and confidence in handling people and things and life itself. Though we were close in age, your elegance and maturity was infinitely superior to my own. But I like to think I learned from your quiet charisma and superb sense of presentation. Not to be too trite, I hope...but girls, you will appreciate this. At an age where I was trying on so many 'looks' to find out who I really was, you were always impeccably...well, French, I guess. I asked you about your wardrobe philosophy, and you said that every season you found one outfit that was perfect, and then you wore it all the time, till the next season! I am still trying to acheive something even remotely close to that level of self-awareness and confidence. Dear Renee...I always admired you, was fascinated by you, and loved you dearly.
My love and thoughts go to all your family, especially Becky and Zoe. Goodbye Renee...

Renee made us all better by holding us to the best we could be. She had high standards, great taste in everything that mattered, and a wicked smile. That gap toothed grin signalled great passion. How can so much life, love and pursuit of all, be gone. We will all miss her, � sisters, brothers, children, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends. My condolences to all.

May 25, 2011

To all the family, particularly Stephen, Martha and Paul - on behalf of Albert and myself I would like to extend our sincere condolences on the death of your beloved sister, Renee.

Renee was the kind of person one wouldn't easily forget. She had a great personality and was interested in everything and everyone she met. You got the impression she was very honest and sincere with people, and had a great sense of humor. We loved seeing her at your Christmas parties, and Albert enjoyed his many talks with her at the store over the years.

Sincerely, Albert & Pauline Paletta
Burnaby, B.C.

To all the family so saddened to hear of your loss. I shall remember her for her warmth, her zest for life and her wonderful sense of fun. I cherish those early days at L.F.A. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Judith Cameron Coen
Killinick
Co. Wexford
Ireland

Becky and Rob, Martha. Renee junior, Mia, Vero, Rader...all the Paris's. My thoughts are with you at the loss of such a great sister, aunt and woman. Cate

I was fortunate enough to meet Renee in the fall of 2008, I always enjoyed chatting with her. She was a special lady, i will always remember her. My condolences to the family.

We met more than 50 years ago. I was a little afraid of her. By the time we were grown up we'd made a wonderful friendship. Renée was formidable and gracious, intelligent and, as has been noted, so funny. Her family is a village where both residents and visitors will miss Renée's special presence.

My condolences and love to all the family. Renee will be missed by so many people.

Sincere Condolences to Renee's family. I met Renee in 1970 when she lived on Helmcken Street. She was exotic and unlike anyone I had ever met. I received kindness, humour and soup at a time when I really needed it. She had the cutest baby 'Zoe' who was adored. Renee made a difference!... So sad to hear this news.
- Nora

Renee's wonderful throaty laugh will be with me always. She added so much to the World Festival life at Expo 86. A lady of being matter of fact! I loved working with Renee and so enjoyed our infrequent catchups. Now she is gone. Oh my!

Ann Farris

I am very sorry, for the family and for the community. Renee possessed a lively and generous spirit. Thank you for the photo, which captures some of that!

Renee was a formidible and gracious woman. Even though we rarely saw each other I loved her. She was a peach. I should add, she was so very funny...can't forget that..

A great cousin & classmate of my wife. We well both miss Renee. Our love goes out to all of my cousins. Chuck & Terry

We were friends for 45 years and I know that I'll never have anybody like Renee in my life again. Rest easy 'nee-'nee. You will be sorely missed.

so sad to hear the passing of renee,always remmeber her great smile with that cute little gap in her teeth she will be dearly missed, all my hopes and wishes for all the paris family,
barney j cromie

Shocked to read of Renees passing....way too young. The original authentic "hippy" she was. I could always get a good hearty laugh out of Renee. That is what I remember fondly. Condolences to her large Clan at this time.

Shocked to read of Renees passing....way too young. The original authentic "hippy" she was. I could always get a good hearty laugh out of Renee. That is what I remember fondly. Condolences to her large Clan at this time.

Shocked to read of Renee's passing...way to young. The most authentic of 60's "hippies" she was. I could always get a good hearty laugh out of Renee..and that is what I remember fondly. Condolences to her large Clan at this time. Bob Brown

We were friends for 45 years, and I know there will never be anybody like Renee in my life again. She was a "one off" !
Rest easy, 'nee-'nee.