Sister René Parman, formerly Sister Marie René and the former Faye Parman, graduated from Lourdes Academy, Cleveland, in 1938. Inspired by the joyful spirit of the Humility of Mary Sisters who taught her, she decided to enter the community in January 1939 from St. Ignatius Parish in Cleveland. She earned her BSE and her MA from St. John College, which prepared her for her 33 years in the ministry of education as a teacher and principal.
She served at St. Christopher Parish in Rocky River; St. Joseph (now Divine Mercy Parish) in Massillon; St. Paul Parish in North Canton; St. James Parish in Lakewood; Blessed Sacrament Parish in Cleveland, St. Raphael Parish in Bay Village; St. Mary Parish in Wooster and St. Paul Parish in Salem. After retiring from teaching, Sister René used her background in education at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, serving as director of educational programs for 13 years. Her attention to detail then brought her to Villa Maria Retreat Center, where she was part of the clerical staff for five years. From 1996 to 2020, Sister René volunteered in the finance officeat Villa Maria Community Center.
She joined the ranks of the Humility of Mary centenarians when she celebrated her 100th birthday in 2020. When she joined the Humility of Mary Community 85 years ago, the community itself was 85 years old. Never one for idleness, when she isn’t helping someone with a knitting or crochet project, Sister René is regularly on the golf course with her friends.
