Renee K. Parsons (Stelzer) was born January 20, 1958, in Seattle, Washington.  She was the second of three daughters born to German immigrants who had fled a divided Germany for a better life in Seattle. During her childhood, her immediate family moved all around the Pacific Northwest, living in Eastern and Western Washington, Idaho and Hawaii. Even as a child, Renee's quick wit and intelligence were reflected in both her sense of humor as well as her uncanny ability to never get caught breaking the rules.

Renee eventually settled in Tacoma, Washington with her three children where she spent most of her life. She had a big heart that was always on full display. Her love and care for others is a hallmark of her personality that will be deeply missed by all those who knew her. If ever she encountered someone in need, she was always there to lend a hand regardless of how well you knew her.

Renee always said her home was the home of "wayward children and pets" and every person and animal who passed through her door felt welcome. Many of her children's friends still consider her a mother figure in their lives, even now as adults with children of their own.  She took in many stray pets in her lifetime, and most recently was upset when her longtime partner attempted to remove a family of squirrels that had taken up residence inside her porch structure.

Renee worked as a Registered Medical Assistant for most of her career, spending many years at a community health clinic dedicated to making care accessible to the most vulnerable population in Tacoma and Pierce County. One of her proudest accomplishments was helping to open a new health clinic at a local shelter for victims of domestic violence. Later in her career, she dedicated her work to the next generation of medical professionals, serving as the Head of the Medical Assistant Department at a local technical college before retiring.

After her working years, Renee continued to serve others in a variety of ways. She was a fitness and nutrition coach and inspired many around the world through her social media posts about her own weight loss journey. She was an avid baker, whose pies were loved by many in Pierce County. She made homemade jam and regularly shipped it to her grandchildren to shower them with her love from far away. A grandmother who never lost her youthful spirit, Renee was known to occasionally eat ice cream for breakfast and do somersaults on the bed with her grandchildren.

Renee left us far too soon on December 28, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hans Jürgen Stelzer and Ilse Stelzer (Streng). Renee is lovingly survived by her longtime partner, San Porter; her sisters, Monica Wells and Annette Smathers and their families; her children, Kimberly (Parsons) Van Cleave (Asiel), Andrew Parsons (Stephanie) and Jeffrey White; and eight grandchildren, Jeffrey Jr., Anabelle, Lincoln, Jazelle, Madison, Aeris, Anaís, and Jayla, who were the pride and joy of her life.