Obituary of Rene'e Laurece Bowen Corcoran

Rene’e passed away quietly on April 27, 2023, with friends and her son, Brennan, by her side.  She was born March 16, 1942, in Olympia, Washington.  

Rene’e spent her grade school amongst the Sequoias in Northern California, graduating from Fortuna Union High School in 1960. She returned to Washington to work.  She worked for the Washington State Law Library Court of Appeals while attending The Evergreen State College, from which she earned her Bachelor of Arts.

Rene’e is survived by her son, Brennan; grandchildren, Caden and Chloe; sister, Connie Bowen Barlow; several nieces and nephews; and more friends than you can count.  Rene’e is preceded in death by her father, Reece Bowen; her husband of over 20 years, Neil; her sister, Reola “Lee Lee” Bowen Robinson; and within months, her mother, Lola Ritter Bowen Stancil, who bragged she was 107 years, 5 months, and 10 days old. 

Rene’e thrived on ancestry and living history of her great-great-grandmother, Lizzie Ford Ticknor, one of the first families of Washington Territory.  Rene’e was the historian of the Ford family and put on a one-woman show about her great-great-grandmother, wearing period piece attire and presenting it to groups and schools across Washington State. 

Rene’e herself left a legacy of family, strength, and loyalty.  The sparkle in her eyes, accented by her dimpled smile, always put you at ease.  Rene’e was the First Woman of Bucoda for years when Neil was Mayor.  She taught shoemaking and design at Centralia College and wrote a recipe column for the Tenino Independent for over 15 years. She wrote three cookbooks, was involved for years with the book club, and starred in productions with the Olympia Little Theater, including Harvey.  Rene’e traveled extensively with the Friendship Force; highlighting a trip to Korea, and said, “A few more countries and I would have been around the world.”  Rene’e laughed often, lived fully, loved, and held her friends and family close to her heart.

Rene’e will be laid to rest at Forest Grove Cemetery on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 12:00 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at the Skookumchuck Grange, 5345 Skookumchuck Rd. SE, Tenino, WA 98589.

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