Rene was born February 24, 1953 in the back seat of the doctor†™s car while going to the Coulee Dam Washington hospital. She grew up in Wilbur Washington, a small farming town in Eastern Washington and was the youngest of four sisters. She was a beloved and cherished daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, aunt-in-law and friend. Her parents were William and Patricia Morrell, sisters Linda Grindell, Rosemary Pittroff, Maureen Schott, brother-in-laws Fred Pittroff, Whit Grindell, nieces Jennifer and Jessica Grindell, Shannon Schott, nephew-in-laws Justin Lanphear and Adam Brown Rene graduated Cum Laude at the University of Washington with BA in Comparative Literature in 1975. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, an honorary high scholastic society. After graduation she followed her sister Rosemary to Denver where she made her home for the remainder of her life. Rene loved Denver. She loved theater, concerts, movies, books, museums, shopping, taking classes, swimming, walking and dining out with friends and family. All things the city provided in abundance. After moving to Denver, she went to work for the federal government in 1976. She held various jobs in this system and work her way up to a high job level. Her last job was for DOD/Tricare as a Health Care Policy Analyst and retired in 2011. Upon her retirement she received the Secretary of Defense medal for exceptional civilian service. She was diagnosed with cancer in December 2016. She fought the disease but the disease was too aggressive. Rene died peacefully on Feb 26, 2017 at Denver Hospice with her family members at her bedside. She will be cremated and her remains laid to rest at the Golden cemetery at a later time. Rene was greatly loved by family and friends and will be greatly missed. A celebration of Rene†™s life will be held Tuesday March 7, 2017 at 11:30am at Aspen Mortuary, 1350 Simms St. Lakewood Colorado. A luncheon reception will be held following the service. If you like, memorial donations in memory of Rene can be made to your favorite charity.