Rena Janet Davis' Obituary
On the evening of January 5, 2024 our wonderful mother, partner, mentor and friend
Rena Janet (Cranmer) Davis, longtime resident of St. Helens, passed away at the age
of 76, in Portland, Oregon surrounded by family and friends. She was born on
December 29, 1947 to Max and Alma Cranmer, in the state of Washington. She
attended school in Milwaukee, Oregon.
At a young age, Rena had the gift of healing. There were many stories told of stray and
sick animals following her home from school to be treated, cured, and loved. This would
become the beginning of a lifetime of healing service to others. During her college
years, Rena found her love in biochemistry and earned a Masters Degree from Oregon
State University in Corvallis, Oregon.
After graduating, she went on to work as a Chemist for Tektronix in Beaverton, Oregon.
She also worked at several property management companies in the 1970s and 1980s.
Her only child and son, Rhys Kalon Davis, was born April 4, 1988 when Rena was forty
years old. Rhys was her pride and joy and she often shared with friends, family and
colleagues that he was her "miracle baby" and greatest blessing.
Rena and her partner Paul Kalinsky met when Paul became a client in the late 1990s.
She mentioned to one close friend, in the final weeks of her life, how Paul had been a
true “champion”, helping her through every stage of her transition.
Rena began her healing career in her 20s while working at Tektronics. She overcame
serious physical difficulties with the sole use of natural methods, to the amazement of
her friends and co-workers. People began knocking on her door asking for help, which
she graciously provided. Rena established Davis Nutrition Consultants in 1990 (later to
become Total Healing Ltd).
Working as a Clinical Nutritionist would be her true calling in life, drawing on her
education and expanded training as a Biochemist, Amino Acids Specialist, Herbologist,
Homeopath, Iridologist, 2nd Degree Reiki, and Nemenhah Medicine Person (Traditional
Leader).
Clients from around the world sought her expertise. She dedicated her life to
her clients and exhaustively searched new ways to bring healing into their lives. It
was not unusual for her to be studying biochemistry and pouring over complex research
papers into the early hours of the morning to find one more piece of the puzzle on a
challenging case. She would often be heard from her office assuring a dispirited client,
“It's always darkest right before the dawn,” inspiring them to persevere another day.
She was a source of strength and hope to her clients, many of whom had exhausted all
avenues of help before finding their way to her door. She was innovative and a
trailblazer in her unique ability to combine nutrients and herbs individually for each
person. She will be greatly missed by her many clients from around the globe.
Rena found great joy in offering her expertise and enthusiasm to a select few Health
and Wellness companies, that she deemed capable of positively changing people's
lives. She especially favored the network marketing business model, because it was
based on people helping people. She genuinely considered her networking clients and
colleagues more like family, letting each person know how special they were to her.
Rena's desire to make the world a better and more beautiful place each day was also
evident through her exquisite gardens she attended, and her yearning to bring
wholeness to all of creation. She was a mentor to many who came seeking her advice
on all matters of personal wellbeing. She always saw the best in people and had a
unique gift of guiding those around her to see their greatest potential and life’s purpose.
She will be remembered for the way she imparted great wisdom, showed great
compassion, and so often put the needs and concerns of others before her own.
Rena is survived by her partner Paul Kalinsky; son Rhys Davis; brother Bill Wright
(Mary Lou); sister Elva Mills (Lynn); as well as several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and sisters, Linnea Anderson (Larry) and
Florie Cox.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Columbia Humane Society in her
name.
Rena’s ashes will be scattered under her favorite oak tree.
What’s your fondest memory of Rena?
What’s a lesson you learned from Rena?
Share a story where Rena's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Rena you’ll never forget.
How did Rena make you smile?