Renee considers herself a native Houstonian although she was actually born in Waco, Texas. Growing up in Sharpstown in the 70’s and 80’s was every child’s dream, and she still enjoys those memories along with lifetime friendships from childhood. Her competitiveness started at an early age as an active softball player, and she was MVP of her team on more than one occasion. Her drive to be the best she could be in all aspects of her life started at an early age. Her motto has always been: “How can you not succeed if you truly love what you are doing.”
Renee has always been an entrepreneur of some sort. From owning a home interiors boutique while living in Budapest, Hungary, to starting a handmade greeting card business in Bangkok, Thailand, Renee has always had her hands busy with something. Her greatest accomplishment in life and true blessings are her three children, Kelli, Samuel and Danielle. Grown now, in her eyes, they will always be 5 years old. Her children taught her the true meaning of unconditional love and what a blessing really is. The true magic happened when her first granddaughter was born almost 7 years ago, Renee now enjoys three littles: Amelia, Emma and Willa.
While living in Budapest (after five years in Bangkok), Renee felt “the lump,” the dreaded lump she had always heard about. She was 39 years old and mammograms were suggested when you turned 40. “When you see the ultrasound technician have a tear rolling down her face during the exam, you know things are not good,” recalled Renee. At the time she was living in a post-communistic country with limited medical resources, she and her then husband, Justin Davy, knew they had to act fast and swiftly. Renee was immediately en route to Houston and MD Anderson, where her diagnosis was confirmed. She had multiple tumors and stage 3 breast cancer. She recalled looking around the hospital thinking to herself, “I am one of them now.”
Renee refused to allow her family to pack up and move back to Houston, as she considered that “conceding” to cancer. If anyone knows Renee, they know she does not concede. She opted to commute from Budapest to Houston and back for an 18-month journey to survival. It was not easy and it was not fun, but she wanted her children to continue with their daily lives and her husband to continue with his his career while she got well. She knew she would be okay when the taxi driver in Budapest dropped her at the airport on her journey home and said to her, “We will wait for your return.” He knew something she didn’t, and she knew she would be okay. She will never forget a total stranger who offered her hope.
That was in 2003, and Renee is grateful beyond imagine for her 18 years as a survivor. The fact that her breast was taken, her body scarred, her freedom of not having to do her hair for a year….will never be taken lightly. After Renee and her family were transferred back to Houston, she started her Real Estate career in 2006 and has never stopped since she hit the ground running. Her persistence for excellence has never wavered through all of the trials and tribulations of life’s journey.
At the end of each day, all that matters in Renee’s life are her children Kelli, Sam, Danielle and her three grand-girls, nothing else compares. She is grateful for being a survivor, wears her scars proud, and makes no excuses.