Renee M. Dunbar

Renee Dunbar of Perrysburg, Ohio passed peacefully on October 14, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 3, 1930 to Adriene Lavauzelle and Eugenie Blanc in France.

Renee was one of 10 siblings. Coming from a large family she would often reminisce of her life in France and memories shared with them. Living through the Great Depression and World War II she faced many challenges. As a young girl she and her father would go to the market for bread and they would feed soldiers and the struggling families in the underground. Renee started working at a very young age. With hard times falling on her family, Renee selflessly forfeited her own education so that she could help aid in their support. One of the jobs she held as a young woman was working in a wire factory making parts to support the military, it was there she met her best friend of 70 plus years, Rose Fall.

Later she met the love of her life Lee Rox Dunbar who was stationed in France to help with the reconstruction after all the ruin. Lee and Renee were married in France prior to his discharge from the Army Corps of Engineers in 1960.

Upon Lee’s discharge he returned to the United States with his unit. Renee along with their two young children flew separately to meet him to begin their life in the United States. This was not an easy feat for Renee but she was resilient and kept moving forward. Speaking little English and tending to a 2 year old and 4 1/2 month old presented a challenge in itself, but then a snow storm diverted her plane to a different state. Making matters worse her purse was stolen in the airport, she had no money, no contact information, and wasn’t sure what to do next. A kind woman in the airport seeing the predicament Renee was faced with offered to help her with their children and was able to assist in getting her reunited with her husband and family.

Renee was a hard worker and had an excellent work ethic. The majority of her life was spent working providing for her family. She held various positions within her lifetime, her longest employment was with Motel 6 for 20+ years, where she retired at age 81.

Renee lived her life the best that she knew, she loved spending time with her family. Holidays with them were her favorite, she made sure that everyone had their favorite foods and there was always plenty of extra to go around. She was a fashion diva, she loved her leggings and her sweaters. She had quite the green thumb and loved flowers. There was never a flower that she didn’t think was pretty. And we would be remiss if we didn’t mention her love of swans. Their gracefulness and beauty always astonished her. We will greatly miss Renee, and we will always remember her fondly.

She is survived by her loving children, Thomas (Stacey) Dunbar and Michelle (Charles) Fuller; grandchildren, David Mueller, Charles H. Fuller, Jocelyn (Michael) Bostdorff; and great grandchildren, Luke Mueller, Weston Fuller, Paisley Fuller, Drew (Susie) Bostdorff, Brittney Bostdorff, and Audrey Bostdorff. Renee will be reunited in Heaven with her daughter, Patricia Pheils; her parents, Adriene and Eugenie Lavauzelle; and other relatives.

The family wishes to thank Ashanti Hospice Services and the Otterbein Neighborhood for taking such good care of Renee during her last moments. A private service will be held for immediate family.