Community to Celebrate Life of Camas Teacher, Diana Rennie, This Saturday

Diana Sue Rennie was born on April 4, 1950 in Seattle, Washington and left us too soon on July 22, 2024. As a young girl growing up in Seattle she and her siblings enjoyed skiing at Sahalee, camping trips to Alta Lake, and time on the water at Priest Lake and Lake Washington. One of her favorite memories to share were the train trips she and her sister, Marilyn would take to see her grandparents down in Astoria, Oregon. 

Diana and her family moved to Yakima, Washington when she was young. She graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1968. She then attended Central Washington University graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. Shortly after graduating she received her first teaching job at Helen Baller Elementary in Camas, Washington in 1973. She taught 2nd grade for eleven years before moving over to Lacamas Heights. Diana taught there for thirty years before retiring in 2014. She deeply loved the children and families of the town of Camas. She served her community well beyond the classroom in various arenas including serving on Camas City Council, an active soroptimist member, and president of the Camas Education Association for years. After retiring she dedicated much of her time to the local backpack Food Program at the Treasure House and Family Resource Center, and most recently was a regular volunteer and math tutor, supporting teachers and students at Prune Hill Elementary as well as her niece’s school in Selah, Washington.  

Diana is preceded in death by her sister, Marilyn (Rennie) Bainter, and both of her parents; John Russell Rennie and Genevieve (Harmon) Rennie all of Yakima. Diana leaves behind her brother, John Rennie (Angela Rennie) and sons Averell and Nick Rennie of Yakima, as well as her niece Kate (Bainter) Mercer, husband John Mercer, and great nephews and niece; Jax, Maddox, and Madilyn Mercer all of Yakima, as well. 

What Diana loved most in her life was her family, her two cats, many friends, and all of the students she had in her impressive 41 years of teaching elementary school. Around her home you will find many old photos, cards, letters, and graduation announcements from past students, some of whom she was still in contact with. She was a truly gifted educator and left behind a wonderful legacy of kindness, patience, love, and generosity to her family, friends, and the community of Camas. After retirement, her true joy came from her bi-weekly visits to her niece Kate’s to spend time with her great niece and nephews. She could watch them for hours with sheer amusement and the smile that they brought to her face was priceless. 

We were all so fortunate to have her in our lives and she will be truly missed in our hearts. Please join us in a celebration of life for Diana Rennie on October 19, 2024 from 1-3 pm at the Joyce Garver Theater 1500 NE Garfield St, Camas.