International Students

Rosemary Reno

My name is Rosemary Reno and I was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, more years ago than I care to acknowledge.  My parents were James Cullen Varney and Mary Melba Varney (Harlow).  My Mother and Father were divorced when I was very young, and my Mother, being an actress, and having to support myself and my younger sister (Barbara), formed a group called the National Entertainers.  We hit the road in a Trotwood trailer, with my grandmother in tow to care for us and to do bookings.  We toured the east coast until I turned 6-years of age and starting school was a necessity.  My grandmother, sister, myself and the Trotwood were parked in Dayton, Ohio and school began. 

The following year my Mother married Werner Tanner,  a foreign buyer, originally from Switzerland.  Mother and my grandmother were from Oklahoma, so they decided to return to their roots and that is where we moved when I was in the last half of the second grade.  We were enrolled in a private school and Mother and “Daddy” moved to Mexico City where he was a buyer for many of the larger department stores in the east.  My grandmother continued caring for my sister and myself.  We spent our winters in the home they purchased in Oklahoma City and our summers with them in Mexico City.  These were wonderful vacations, enjoying their beautiful apartment in Mexico City and the villa in Cuernavaca, as well as doing a lot of traveling to the resorts throughout southern Mexico.  I developed a genuine love for Mexico during those years.

When I completed the 10^th grade my sister and I were sent to a boarding school on Monterey Bay in California.  Being situated on the beach was a delightful experience for me and I found the ocean would play an important part in my future life. 

I have attended Marin Junior College in San Rafael, California, Santa Rosa Junior College, Glendale College, and LA City College, taking courses that were basically of interest to me.  I never got a degree because I hit the road running and had to make a living for myself, and eventually two children, Denyce and Todd. 

After divorcing, I moved to Japan for a year and lived in a Japanese community as a tourist.  Todd was only 1-year old and Denyce was 6, so, luckily, she remembers some of  the wonders of this delightful experience.

My work background included considerable years as a secretary.  I was secretary to the Adjutant General of Oklahoma, and personal secretary to the President/Chairman of the Board of United Recording in Hollywood, CA.  This was a fantastic experience, meeting numerous stars and being able to attend the Grammys and Academy Awards.  I worked as Project Coordinator for a recreational land development company out of Glendale, CA.  After obtaining a California real estate sales license I sold Real Estate in San Diego County and then accepted an offer to sell real estate in Mexico.  I thought I would stay 6-months in Rosarito Beach, but that time grew into 22-years.  I purchased a home right at the edge of the beach and loved every minute of it.  I was Project Director for 3-ten story condo towers and when they sold out a 12-story condo building.  I was then Sales Manager for the Century 21 office in Roasrito. 

I married Don Williamson, a mining engineer, whom I met when he visited his weekend home in Rosarito.  We honeymooned in Hong Kong, Macau and China.  I was able to travel to Germany and Chili when Don was there on business.  I have always delighted in experiencing new things and have traveled extensively whenever and where ever I could.  Over the years I have traveled numerous times in Europe, Asia, to 5-countries in South America, to the South Seas, Iceland the Middle East, and Africa. 

When my husband, Mother and sister all passed away within months of one another, my daughter Denyce was living in Powell, so 2-years later, October, 2004, I sold my home in Mexico and moved to Wyoning to be near her and my 2-beautiful granddaughters.  Not knowing anyone in the area my daughter encouraged me to involve myself with some of the organizations in the area, which I have done.  I am Financial Coordinator for the Women's Connection in Powell; on the Board of Directors and Treasurer for the Powell Rotary Club; on the Board of Directors and Concert Artist Coordinator for the Live Community Concert Association in Park County; and last, but not least, Chairperson for the International Friendship Committee at NWC.

Of all the organizations in which I have an involvement, the Friendship Committee truly tugs at my heart strings.  I can't imagine a more pleasurable endeavor than being associated with the outstanding young people from so many different countries.  Providing friendship families for them is a teaching process for both the families and students as they learn about the cultures, foods, religions and geography relative to one another.  Working with Harriet Bloom-Wilson, Mary Beauman and Amanda Enriquez has been a delightful experience in itself.  I am proud to say I share a small part in their accomplishments.