Renee Howland

Renee was born on December 26, 1922 to Adrien and Leonie Vreucop in Paris, France. She went to school in Paris where she enjoyed riding her bicycle along the Champs Elysees and canoeing down the Seine River. Renee turned 18 the same year France surrendered to the German Army. For the next 5 years France endured a brutal occupation until American soldiers won the day on the beaches of Normandy. Her future husband, Ren Dail Howland walked from Omaha Beach to Paris with the Victorious American Army, routing the Germans along the way. She was working for Chanel in their transportation department when she met Ren. He saw her walking home from the market and offered to carry her groceries - then returned the next night for dinner. They had a lively courtship, fell in love and married in Paris where they lived for 2 years. Ren worked for the Civil Service and they traveled Europe in their jeep before he brought her home to Rio Hondo, Texas. She was quickly introduced to life as a farmer's wife and the daily struggles that lifestyle brings. Being in a foreign country thousands of miles from home brought its own struggles and cultural shock but she persevered. With the profits from a good lettuce crop, they hand-built their home on Centerline Road - which still stands today, Renee earned her citizenship and became actively involved in her community and her church, St. Helen's Catholic Church in Rio Hondo. Along the way, they had 5 children; Mike, Danny, Claude, Jack and Christine.

Renee loved having family and friends over for meals, and always cooked a big feast every Sunday to celebrate family. Renown for her delicious cooking, rarely were there any left-overs - especially with 4 growing boys in the house!

Renee was a member of the Altar Society for St. Helen's Catholic Church for almost 70 years, a Cub Scout leader, and an active member of the Bluebonnet Club and the Cameron County Home Demonstration Club. She volunteered at the Rio Hondo Library, at the Harlingen Museum, worked the polls during the elections, and was always ready to bring food and comfort to anyone in need. Once her youngest child started school, she began substituting at the Rio Hondo schools, then launched her 25-year career as an Educator at the Rio Hondo High School specializing in Math. As if her days and evenings weren't full enough, Renee attended college at night earning her Associate's Degree with honors.

Renee loved playing cards and dominoes where her competitive side was always on lively display! She also enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, gardening, reading and arts and crafts. During her summers, her days were filled with helping her husband with his shrimping business and hosting Camp Grandma for her many grandchildren.

At the age of 100, Renee was honored by Judge Eddie Trevino, Jr. with a Proclamation celebrating her many contributions during her lifetime.

Left to celebrate her life and carry on her legacy are Michael R. Howland, son (wife Barbara), Daniel D. Howland, son (wife Lori), Claude R. Howland, son (wife Linda), Jack A. Howland, son, Christine Howland Drolet, daughter (husband Jerry), 16 Grandchildren, 29 Great Grandchildren, 2 Great-Great Grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Renee was preceded in death by her parents, Adrien and Leonie Vreucop, her beloved husband, Ren D. Howland and her brother Raymond Vreucop

We would like to thank the team at Sun Valley Nursing Home in Harlingen for their exquisite care of her over the last 2 years. She enjoyed her new friends and really loved winning at Bingo and Chalupa - which she did often!

A Visitation for Renee will be held Friday, November 29, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Mont Meta, with a Rosary at 7:00 PM.

A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, November 30, 2024, at 10:00 AM at St. Helens Catholic Church, 228 Huisache Ave, Rio Hondo, TX 78583, with a Burial at 11:00 AM at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Howland family can be shared at www.montmetafuneralservices.com.