Renee Parkinson Obituary

Renee Michele Parkinson, of Callery, formerly of Wexford, was killed tragically on Wednesday, July 4, 2007, in an auto accident on Interstate 79, Warrendale. She was a 1998 graduate of North Allegheny High School and a 2003 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and her passion was music. Renee was a proud member of the North Allegheny High School Concert and Marching bands and the I.U.P. Marching Band and Wind Ensemble. Because of her love for children and music, she taught elementary school music. She began her teaching career in Fairfax County, Virginia, and while there taught private piano lessons and worked with local marching bands. Renee had been employed for three years by the Highlands School District as the music teacher for Fawn and Heights Elementary schools and also taught at Grandview Elementary during her first year when the music teachers had to rotate from building to building. At 16, she began working as a waitress at DiPietro's restaurant, Wexford, and continued working there until it closed in 2006. Beloved daughter of Roy and Natalie (Stewart) Parkinson. Dear sister of Lisa M. Parkinson. Granddaughter of Hazel Parkinson and Pauline Stewart, of State College, and the late Norman Parkinson and Emory G. Stewart. Also survived by several aunts, uncles and cousins. Friends received from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the GEORGE A. THOMA FUNERAL HOME INC., 10418 Perry Highway, McCandless. Services will follow at 6 in Ingomar United Methodist Church, 1501 W. Ingomar Road. Please meet at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Highlands School District, Box 288, 1330 11th Ave., Natrona Heights, PA 15065, Attention: Renee Parkinson Memorial Fund. The memorials will be used to promote music education in the schools.