Mary Dee Rensel, passed away due complications from a double lung transplant as a means to increase her life with Cystic Fibrosis. After graduating from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Mary's paintings swept the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra by storm, and many of its members, including André Previn, invested in her work. Not long after her graduation, Mary moved out of Pittsburgh to live with her esjtranged family, the Rensels, in Bakersfield, California. She continued her painting for several good and healthy years. Up until the age of 29, Mary was uplifting and energetic, then her over all health started to decline, and it was determined that a double-lung transplant may increase the length and quality of her life. In 1989 she was the fifth person in the United States to receive the surgery. Many high-school friends banded together to help raise funds and support for Mary Dee. These included, her friend Shawna Browne, Diana Dugina, Bea Schultz, Gail Dobson, Joan Puskar and Keith Schultz. Mary survived the revolutionary surgery, but fought with pneumonia on and off while in recovery. Eventually she succumbed to the surgery, and went to live with our Lord. She was later joined by her loving parents Helen and Vincent Freund.
Our sweet Mary Dee. Amazing painter, sincere, sweet and loveable friend since the 9th grade. I will remember; bike rides to South Park and endless shamrock shakes, burgers and fries, rainy Saturday afternoons and painting watercolors at her house and her Dad, Vince, playing those wonderful classical symphonies. Most of all, I'll always remember and hold in my heart the trip Shawna and I made to see and stay with het in Bakersfield. Soaking in the hot-tub, catching rainbows in San Francisco, and traveling up and down the sunny coast. We'll remember Mary Dee for her bravery and how she faced her surgery in Pittsburgh. She was amazing, so tiny, but so strong! She will always be an inspiration to me.
Diana Dugina (Riebling)
Mary Dee Rensel, passed away due complications from a double lung transplant as a means to increase her life with Cystic Fibrosis. After graduating from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Mary's paintings swept the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra by storm, and many of its members, including André Previn, invested in her work. Not long after her graduation, Mary moved out of Pittsburgh to live with her esjtranged family, the Rensels, in Bakersfield, California. She continued her painting for several good and healthy years. Up until the age of 29, Mary was uplifting and energetic, then her over all health started to decline, and it was determined that a double-lung transplant may increase the length and quality of her life. In 1989 she was the fifth person in the United States to receive the surgery. Many high-school friends banded together to help raise funds and support for Mary Dee. These included, her friend Shawna Browne, Diana Dugina, Bea Schultz, Gail Dobson, Joan Puskar and Keith Schultz. Mary survived the revolutionary surgery, but fought with pneumonia on and off while in recovery. Eventually she succumbed to the surgery, and went to live with our Lord. She was later joined by her loving parents Helen and Vincent Freund.
Diana Dugina (Riebling)
Our sweet Mary Dee. Amazing painter, sincere, sweet and loveable friend since the 9th grade. I will remember; bike rides to South Park and endless shamrock shakes, burgers and fries, rainy Saturday afternoons and painting watercolors at her house and her Dad, Vince, playing those wonderful classical symphonies. Most of all, I'll always remember and hold in my heart the trip Shawna and I made to see and stay with het in Bakersfield. Soaking in the hot-tub, catching rainbows in San Francisco, and traveling up and down the sunny coast. We'll remember Mary Dee for her bravery and how she faced her surgery in Pittsburgh. She was amazing, so tiny, but so strong! She will always be an inspiration to me.
Carol Boehm
I knew Mary since I was 6 years old at St. Gabriel's. Mary was always so sweet but so sick. Rest in Peace Mary.Debra Maurine Peterson (Peace)
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