Irene Renée Ellis

Renée began her journey in Friesland, Paraguay January 25, 1956. Her family moved to Canada that same year to live in Vancouver, B.C. and soon after moved to her childhood home of Abbotsford, B.C. where she grew up in a Christian home, learning about God and His love, with her seven siblings; Ingrid, Marianne, Rudy, John, Hardy, Albert and Robert. The family grew up on a farm with their days filled with taking care of the animals, like milking the cows. Renée often laughed about chasing the cows that would escape the farm, as she was the only one who knew how to bring them back by calling out "Komaśe! Komaśe!" she always had a way with animals, big or small. The Isaak family still had their household chores. They would garden, clean, and of course help in the kitchen with cooking. Singing, made those chores fun, as the children filled the home with warmth and harmony every day, truly creating a bond through song that was everlasting in their family. As a young woman, driven by the creative spark in her heart, Renée had an artistic flair and it showed through her sense of fashion. Renée started a career of modelling that allowed her to travel the world. She filled her younger years with stunning experiences not many encounter in their lifetime. This gave her the awe-inspiring opportunity to expand her career and open her own modelling company called Lauren Studios. There, Renée strived to give young women strength in their beauty and the confidence to achieve their dreams and goals. In 1989, she married Gary Devison, and was blessed with two wonderful children, Colton and Talitha. A few years after, when that door closed, God opened another and showed Renée her one true love and soulmate Steven Ellis. Along with Steven, she was blessed to welcome with open arms, his two incredible children Cameron and Tanner as her own. They married in 2003 and continued to build a wonderful family and life together. Some of the fondest reflections of the family were always travelling places and camping together. Lasting memories were built, and Renée's traditions of music and singing grew in her family. Again, creating the strong bond you see in her beautiful family today. She truly was the songbird that kept her family together. Renée was a very dedicated mother. Her family was her heart and soul in which she cared for and loved so strongly. Her life was a beautiful song we will cherish every day in our hearts, in our memories, and will forever be part of us.