Rene' was born and raised in Texas. She is a two-time cancer survivor who has an insatiable zest for life. She is also the owner of two patents. With retirement, she satisfies her creative desires by writing, making hand-crafted jewelry, fusing glass, and painting. She is the author of "Wings and a Ring: Letters of War and Love from a WWII Pilot" and "Gwendolyn: A Frog's Perilous Adventure."