Alexandrine “Renee” Elizabeth Prine, 88, and long-standing Westport resident, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at Harbor Regional Health Community Hospital in Aberdeen, Washington.
Renee was born on Nov. 1, 1933, to parents James and Elizabeth McCallum in Ontario, Canada. During the war conflict in Europe, Renee and her siblings left England and moved to St. Catherine, British Columbia.
At the age of 16, Renee worked in BC as a telephone operator manager. She later met John Lancaster and they married. They moved to Tacoma, Washington. They had five children. In the 1970s she started work at Hickory Farms as the regional manager of 16 stores nationwide. She then worked at the Tacoma Arts Commission procuring artists and art for Tacoma. At the age of 50, Renee went back to school and completed her GED and graduated from Pierce College with an AA in early childhood development. She made the move into her Westport home and began teaching preschool with the district. Renee found her passion and continued her teaching career for many years with Westport school before retiring in 2013.
Renee was a member of the Eagles, VFW and Moose Lodge. She also became a member of both the Tacoma and Westport Art Museums and Committees, to include the Red Hats Society. Her interests and hobbies included art, reading — including reading to the children at the local libraries and volunteering. She was always the first to raise her hand to help. Renee’s deeper passions were her gardens and flowers. She was also an avid bird watcher and supported Audubon. She traveled the world to bird watch and was an activist with her passion for nature and the environment.
Renee’s greatest love and joy was her family. She always had an open door to watch her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Even at the age of 80, there was a baby on her hip. She enjoyed each moment she had with her family. She was an amazing woman, who fought for those she loved. She loved many and is loved by all, and will greatly be missed.
Renee is preceded in death by her parents, brother, two sisters, her daughter, Leann, her son John, and her husband Lorrin Prine.
Renee is survived by her children: James Lancaster and his wife, Libby, of Burkeville, Texas; Margot Lancaster-Stevens of Tacoma, Washington; and Deann Lancaster, of Tacoma, Washington; six grandchildren: Amber Lancaster, Shane Stevens, Christopher Lancaster, Nicholas Lancaster, Alexander Lancaster and Mackenzie Lancaster; and three great-grandchildren: Sloan, Jade and Russell.
Services are being scheduled and will be announced at a later date. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.
