In Loving Memory of Janice Rennie

We are sad to share the news that our Mother and partner, Janice Rennie, passed away on June 21, 2022, surrounded by her family after a brief battle with cancer.

Janice began her real estate in 1974. She started on a Thursday, listed her first house on Monday and sold it on Friday with 2 offers! This was the beginning of extremely successful 48 year career of helping clients “find their way home”. In 1990 she and  4 other trusted colleagues joined Catherine Deluce in forming Chestnut Park Real Estate, a small boutique firm specializing in luxury real estate. The rest is history.

As her daughters and partners, we feel blessed to have worked so closely with such an extraordinary business woman and mentor. She taught us to be sincere;  to listen, more than talk; and always put forth our absolute best effort. We are committed to continuing our work as the Rennie Team.

Julie and Katie Rennie

Obituary-

JANICE M. RENNIE September 30, 1940 – June 21, 2022

A remarkable 63 year love story has come to its end. With peace in her heart and joy for her family’s future, Janice peacefully passed away from a very brief battle with cancer, surrounded by her family. In early January, her beloved Hughie passed away. This devastated her as she lost her best friend, soulmate, #1 cheerleader; essentially her other half. June 29, 2022 would have marked their 59th Wedding Anniversary. They were a team and belonged together. Now they are whole once again. Born in Saint John, New Brunswick to Max and Marion Tulk, her family, along with her younger brother, Doug, eventually moved to Belleville and then onto Toronto. In Belleville, Janice was crowned Miss Winter Wonderland. It was in her move to Toronto that her path crossed with a young and engaging Hugh Rennie. They first met in Teacher’s College and then went to work at Merrywood Camp for physically challenged children. This was the opening chapter of their love story. Hughie fondly called her his “Maritime Gal” and they were married in 1963. Janice began her career as a Teacher for special needs children. When her daughters arrived she changed paths. In 1974, she began in real estate. She started on a Thursday, listed her first house on Monday and sold it on Friday with two offers! This was the beginning of a successful 48 year career of helping clients “find their way home”. Janice was a superb negotiator, as she listened more than she talked and her clients became lifelong friends. She was also an exceptional mentor to her daughters, Julie and Katie, who joined her in 1991 and 2002 respectively, to form The Rennie Team. Her greatest love was her family – Hughie, and her two daughters, Julie Stanton and Katie Osler. She liked nothing more than being the center of family gatherings with her sons-in-law, Tom Stanton and Matt Osler, and five grandchildren, Madeline, Charlie and Allie Stanton, Megan and Cameron Osler. There was not a special event that went by without Nana’s presence and support. Janice’s love for family extended beyond the Stanton and Osler families; she was Nana or Granny Jani to so many others who fiercely loved her back. Janice embraced winter weekends at Ski Inn in Collingwood and summer nights at Ren’s Nest in Muskoka, surrounded by her family and their friends. She shared a passion for travel with Hugh, loved reading a good book and relished her soak in a bubble bath at the end of each day. There will be celebration in the coming months. In the meantime, share a good book with a friend, enjoy a bubble bath and cherish the time you spend with your family.

“I have been with them ever since that day. They can see me in the sun peeking out from the clouds, in the cool breeze on a hot day, in the feeling they have when they remember me and smile. I am always there. Just like the air, just like the water.” The Shape of Family, S. Gowda

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Janice’s memory to Wellspring Cancer Support – an organization of community-based centers for those navigating their cancer journey. www.wellspring.ca/inmemory. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.

Janice

#1 Agent for Over 25 Years

Chairman’s Award 1991-2021

Vice-Chairman’s Award 1991-2021

President’s Awards 1991-2021

 

Through challenging markets, buoyant markets and sensitive family issues, Janice is the consummate professional!

Her teammates and clients refer to her as “The Negotiator”.

Janice’s Words

This is my timeline.

On Thursday, 1974 I began my career. On Monday, I listed my first house. On Friday, I sold it – my first sale with 2 offers! Both Buyers and Sellers and their children remain clients and friends to this day.

Real Estate is not just a job for me. It is what I do. It is my life and I love it!

This year I celebrate 48 years helping clients navigate their way through their Real Estate landscape, a Top Award Winner consistently for every one of those years.

When Julie graduated from University of Western Ontario in 1991, she and I became partners. Julie is known for her excellence is all she does. Together, we were a Team working successfully and happily.

Katie joined us in 2002 following her own career as a Financial Planner. Her knowledge and skills in this aspect of the business has proven invaluable. Katie is energetic and determined in her pursuit of excellence.

Jessica Lee, our Client Care Specialist and our ever-efficient Office Manager is there for us and each of you. No detail is overlooked. Jessica brings to the Team her knowledge of the industry and her wonderful drive to close each file knowing that every box has been checked. That completes our Team.

A client called us “The Rennie Team – Your Dream Team”.

I am proud of the work we do. Individually and collectively, we work together to be the best that we can be for you. Over 90 years of listing and selling luxury homes in Toronto and Oakville’s most sought-after executive areas, our website says it all.

“Yes, excellence is expected of top performers and yes, we have heard agents always say that they are trying to do their best for their clients. We certainly heard such assertions, yet we both felt that there was something more behind Janice’s words… she was heart-felt in her sincerity, she was committed to absolute best efforts on our behalf and she remained unwavering in that regard all the way through.”

I love my work! When people ask me what I am going to do when I retire, I answer – “Retire? Why?” The people whom Hugh and I have met through real estate have made our life more interesting. I have the joy and reward of working with my daughters, Julie and Katie, and the wonderful Jessica.

My Community Service throughout the years includes Arts and Education Chairman for the Junior League of Toronto, a member of the Board and the Board of Trustees of Havergal College, a past Co Chair of the Wellspring Westerkirk Campaign. I found working with Hugh for Camp Oochigeas, Camp Scugog and now RAMP (Residents Against Poverty in Muskoka) to be very rewarding.

In my spare time, we laugh, we ski, we golf, we cook, we watch the news and Netflix, and swim with the dolphins in Naples.

We acknowledge the gift of each new day, good health and the joy of family and friends.