Rose Marie “Dee” Rennie Wallo died peacefully in the presence of family May 25, 2018, knowing she had accomplished all the reasons God placed her on Earth. She appreciated every day, often questioning why she had so many blessings and was determined to give to others in gratitude.
Dee was a tiny name for such a formidable force of nature. Her flashing brown eyes could quell the antics of her children, or anyone who got in her way, with just one glance. More frequently, though, her eyes would dance; a companion for her big smile, which welcomed everyone and could single-handedly make your day.
She was born September 2, 1924, and was the only child of Frank and Theresa Rennie, but grew up in a house bursting with extended family. Nicknamed “Dee,” by her young cousin, she lived in Ladd’s Addition in Southeast Portland, surrounded by other Italian families. She attended Abernethy Elementary School and Washington High School.
As a child, Dee suffered several illnesses that ultimately drove her desire to become a nurse. She attended the St. Vincent School of Nursing (affiliated with University of Portland) during World War II. The student nurses lived onsite, and were expected to study, work and pray under the guidance of the Sisters of Providence and the director, Mrs. Harriett Osborn Jeckell. After four years of exhaustive training, lots of pranks and fun, the nurses shared a profound bond. Dee graduated in 1946 with a bachelor’s degree from U of P.
When the war ended, she met Ed Wallo, a former Marine, who hailed from Pennsylvania and was attending the University of Portland on a football scholarship. With his dashing good looks, full head of hair and broad shoulders, Dee set her cap for him and soon they were married.
Dee worked as Head Nurse on 2 North at the original St. Vincent Hospital and then 7 East when the hospital relocated. They had four children and created a happy home, first in Northeast Portland and later Southwest Portland. Dee loved her house in the shadow of the new hospital, where she could walk to work in the snow if needed or host frequent parties for coworkers. She led nurses with a firm hand, always demanding a patient’s care and comfort be the priority. She was highly respected by doctors for her knowledge and willingness to learn and was hand-picked to oversee the care of the first open heart and vascular patients. Though she was small in stature, she held a commanding presence in a world of rapidly changing medical technology. She later became the Associate Director of Nursing Services, overseeing critical care units. Though she was a bedside nurse at heart, as an administrator, she made invaluable contributions to nursing care standards. A tribute wall, which honors her 40 years of nursing at St. V’s says it best: “Dee Wallo focused on bringing competent, caring nursing practice to patients. She taught and guided with wisdom, wonder, hard work and abundant joy.”
Despite her professional legacy, she was most fulfilled by the one she built at home. She was immensely proud of her family and attended every event her children and grandchildren were involved in, sitting for hours on bleachers or in the audience at school events. She was a mother in every sense of the word — the family’s cheerleader, mentor, counselor and inspiration. She loved singing, dancing, family dinners, fast cars, a good party and most of all, laughing. She was the real deal, understanding what was important in life.
Dee was the ultimate caregiver and initially spent her retirement nursing her husband, parents, aunts and uncles. After Ed died in 1996, she redirected her life toward volunteering at St. Michael’s Church and Maryville Nursing Home and was a mentor to nursing students at the University of Portland. She was dedicated to the St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae, serving on the board for decades, writing their newsletter and helping plan their annual Homecoming. It was important to her to keep the spirit of the school alive.
Dee’s proud family includes her children, Edward (Deborah), Steve (Cindy), MaryJo (Rick McCloskey) and Terri (Scott Strauss); and grandchildren, Bryan (Stephany), Leo, Megan (Eric Renander), Ben, Guinevere, Marisa, Delanie, Genna and Cara. She was predeceased by her grandson, Michael.
The family thanks the following for their wisdom, kindness, compassion and guidance through the years so that Dee could remain healthy and active: Doctors Martin Balish, Tony Garvey, Stacy Lewis, Ugo Raglione, Donald Sutherland, Jeffrey Swanson and Craig Walsh; the amazing nurses at St. Vincent; and in the last year, her companions: Joy Ruplinger and Mary Walters.
Dee’s life will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, June 8, 2018, at a funeral Mass at St. John Fisher Catholic Church. Reception following the Mass. Private interment following at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Contributions to the Ed and Dee Wallo Endowed Scholarship at the University of Portland (visit www.edanddee.com) or a charity of your choice is suggested in lieu of flowers.
Though she will be greatly missed, she is now in the strong arms of the love of her life, Ed, dancing and laughing with her family and friends whom she had longed to see again.