Renée O'Rourke

Anne Renée Warren was born in Leon, Iowa, May 8th, 1958, to Chester William Warren and Susie Imogene (Reinier) Warren.  On August 5th, 2020, at Denver Hospice, following a seven year battle with breast cancer (which she faced with determination, strength, and faith), she went home to be with her Lord and Savior.  Throughout her many procedures and treatments, she was surrounded by friends, colleagues, family, and health professionals to whom we will be forever grateful for every kind deed that was done for her.

Renee attended school in Leon, Iowa and graduated in 1976 as Valedictorian of her class at Central Decatur High School.  She was involved in many activities during her school years.  She was a talented musician who could play several band instruments in addition to piano, organ, violin, and accordion.  She was a member of both boys and girl’s 4-H Clubs, where she showed livestock and completed projects in sewing, photography and refinishing furniture.

Renee accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Leon Bible Church, where she played piano and organ during church services.  She sang with The Harmonettes (a group of cousins and friends).  They performed on many occasions and in many places.  College and careers eventually took them in separate directions.

Her first year was at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA.  Her second year of college was at Drake University in Des Moine, IA.  Afterward she transferred to the University of Southern Colorado (Pueblo), where she completed her B.S. in Business Administration.  She continued her education at the University of Denver, where she received both her Jurus Doctor and Master of Laws in Taxation, which she finished with high honors.

She passed her Colorado Bar and gained employment at PPD of Denver.  She later became a partner at each of the following firms:  Holland & Hart;  Holme, Roberts & Owen; Fagre & Benson; and Greenberg Traurig, where she continued until her passing.

Renee was joined in marriage to Christopher Joseph O’Rourke on September 2, 1985.  To this union, one son, Kerry Michael, was born on January 27, 1997.  Of all her many accomplishments, he was the shining star in her life.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Chester and Imogene Warren; grandparents, William and Clara Warren, and Glenn and Anna Reinier.  She is survived by Chris O’Rourke of Centennial, CO; son Kerry (Katie) O’Rourke, of Virginia Beach, VA; and brother Melvin (Annette) Warren, of Weldon, IA; Aunts, Uncles and a host of Cousins whom she dearly loved; her dear Katie’s parents, Greg and Vicki McIntosh of Hurst, TX; her adopted family of the late Pete Pedraza: MaryAnn of Walsonburg, CO; Eva (Mario) Gonzalez (and children) of Santa Rosa, CA; Veronica Pedraza (and son) of Colorado Springs, CO; Sara Pedraza of San Diego, CA.  She dearly loved all of you!  She treasured each and every one of her many lifelong friends, and both the friendship and loyalty of her many colleagues, associates, partners and clients throughout her career.   She loved all of her pets and her cat, Ornery, who was her final and faithful companion.  Ornery was always close and made the tough times easier.

Renee will be missed by all of us.  We are blessed with so many great memories of a life well-lived!