Remembering Rene McCullough
With saddened hearts, we announce the passing of our Mother, Rigmor (Rene) McCullough during the early hours of Sunday, February 21, 2021.
Rene, nee Hermansen, was born on January 23rd, 1929, in Edmonton to Norwegian homesteaders, Carl and Maria Hermansen and raised at Chip Lake, Alberta. She was a spunky and energetic girl, a good sister to Ralph, Laila, George, and Charlotte. Very early on, she channeled her unique creative talent, artistic flair and fashion sense into a life-long career as a hair beautician and small business owner. She was 85 years of age when she reluctantly laid down her scissors.
Rene was the Mother of three determined daughters: Jacquie (Jacqueline) Moffat; Corky (Corleen) Muir, husband Graham; and Gerry (Geraldine) Ashton, husband Dale. She took endless pride in her grandchildren: Andrew and Gordon Moffat (Jennie); Ross Muir (Dianna); Scott Ashton (Courtney) and Alyssa Foster (Mark). And, she had a special place in her heart for her great granddaughter, Mikayla (Andrew’s daughter). Above all else, family was Rene’s first love.
Words are insufficient to describe our remarkable mother. She was so gracious, generous, selfless and exceedingly kind. Rene loved a good joke and gave as good as she got. She was a proper lady ‘of the old school’ and was never heard to utter a cuss word. She was an avid card player and master cribbage player, particularly, in her latter years. Those that played and lost to her (more often than not) were met by a constant refrain of ‘muggins!’ to signal points forfeited.
She was a self-taught guitar player, having learned her cords listening to gramophone recordings of her favourite crooner, Wilf Carter. She loved to sing, but never laid claim to much of a voice. And she loved to dance, with cherished memories of waltzing with her father.
Rene was an adventurer at heart, no doubt something to do with her ‘Viking’ heritage from which led to the acronym VWP I (Viking Warrior Princess I). She had fond memories of an early retirement sojourn to Jamaica; a Hawaiian escapade with the Ashton clan; a search for family roots in Norway; an epic Mediterranean cruise, wedding celebrations of Ross and Dianna in Mexico; and a Caribbean journey with the Moffats.
Over the years, Rene raised her girls in several cities across Canada, making dear friendships. Close ties were formed during the 30 years spent in Fort Smith, NWT. She was enticed from the North by her daughters and spent the last fifteen years of her life in the embrace of the Ottawa branch of her family while maintaining close contact with her daughter and grandchildren in Calgary.
Together, we share a wealth of wonderful memories of this remarkable lady who shall live on in our hearts as she soars the skies of the ever after.
In memory of Rene you may wish to consider following charities:
Caldwell Family Centre
Dress for Success Ottawa
Digital Guestbook
Marija Triva
John Cuddington
I extend my sincere condolences to Renes family. She was a happy determined lady who will be sorely missed.
Wayne and Corine Moug
Corine and I were very saddened to hear of Rene's passing. We had the pleasure of meeting her several times in recent years and were thoroughly charmed by her, a sharp, kind and lovely lady. Our condolences to Corky, Gerry and their families.
Steve, Lee and Family
Rene was a lady with many admirable qualities. She loved living and embraced her aging with enthusiaiam, if anyone could say "age is just a number" it would be Rene. I loved the way she kept current with fashion. Her energy and love for life seemed almost limitless She will be greatly missed. Thinking of all three of you and your families,Jacquie,Corky and Gerry. Your Mom is an inspiration! Love from Steve,Lee, and family.
Valerie Campbell
Your mom was so relaxed and happy a person, mom, wife, and hairdresser! She will always be remembered pleasantly. We send our blessings to our great cousins and families.
Margaret and Lindsay Gaff
Lindsay and I have the great pleasure of meeting a wonderful very classy lady. She always made us feel very welcome and looked after us on the visits when we stayed at their home.
We are blessed to have known you and will miss you Rene. Rest In Peace ???
Andrea McKay
It was a privilege to get to know your dear mother, Rene. She was so full of fun and such an elegant woman always. Our heartfelt condolences to all of her family. May she rest in eternal peace.
With love, from Andrea & John McKay and family
Mary Tersigni-Paltrinieri
On behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff of Dress for Success Ottawa, we wanted to pass along our sincere condolences on the passing of Rene. By all accounts, she was a wonderful woman who was a bright light for those around her. We hope that the dear memories that you have with her help to bring you comfort during this very difficult time.
Chris and Sally Hermansen
Corky just tracked us down today... I am so sad. Aside from being strong, capable, determined, independent and not apparently needing any cuss words, Aunt Rene was so very, very kind to me when I was a teenager and needed a bit of normal family. I remember calling her from the pay phone in residence at UBC in the latter part of the 1970s... she was still keeping tabs on me. So glad she came out to Vancouver to meet Sally and have a bit of a get-together. That was one of my favourite nights ever.
Thank you, Aunt Rene.
Probably, it is not a conventional eulogy but, I would like to say, whoever watched the series Downton Abbey and admired the wisdom and wittiness of the great actress Violet ( Maggie Smith) will understand what I mean. Mrs. Rene reminded me of her. She was to me and my husband a casual acquaintance whom we barely knew but, nevertheless, in that short encounter, she left a great impression! She was a grand lady! I must add that there’s never enough consolation and the right words are never to be found nor are they comforting enough when a parent leaves us.
Please, accept our sincere condolences.
Denis, Marija and Lorraine