Liebe Michele

Ich spreche Dir und Deiner Familie mein herzliches Beileid aus zum Tod Deiner lieben Mutter. Sie war meine älteste und längste Freundin. Wir kennen uns seit dem 1. Schultag in Ziegenhain im April 1950 und waren 10 Jahre lang in der gleichen Schulklasse. Danach hatten wir über all die Jahre Kontakt, wo immer sie auch lebte- und sie ist viel herumgekommen in der Welt. Es war sehr schön, dass ich sie im Juni noch einmal gesehen habe und auch Dich kennenlernen durfte. Im Oktober haben wir lange telefoniert und sie war ganz hoffnungsvoll, dass sie den Krebs auch dieses Mal übersteht. Ich werde sie sehr vermissen. Viele Spuren der Liebe und Fürsorge werden bleiben und das Miteinander vergangener Jahre wird lebendig sein- meine Gedanken sind bei Dir.

Bitte entschuldige, dass ich in Deutsch schreibe, mein Englisch ist leider nicht so gut.

In herzlicher Anteilnahme

Gudrun Lange (Hofmann)

I was the tour leader from Walking Adventures International on Renate’s trip to Costa Rica and I loved her fun, adventurous spirit! She was the only person on the trip who got up early with me to do a yoga class in the Arenal Volcano area. She made me laugh so hard while zip-lining over the rainforest because she showed me that her smart watch thought she had fallen and was signaling SOS! What a joy it was to meet her and learn from her wisdom. I’m sorry for the passing of this very special lady. ChrissyJones 

Dear Michelle and Family.

I was stunned and saddened to learn of the death of my dear friend Renate. She loved  and cared about all her family so much. Deepest sympathies to all.

We last communicated in January about the annual New Year’s Day Volksmarch at Savage Mill that we missed. I texted after the fact that I forgot about our plan to meet up and she let me know she forgot to let me know she was sick and would not be coming. She said she’d be in touch when she was up to chatting. We never had that chat. So sorry for that and that I did not text her when I thought of her since then.

Renate and I knew each other for over 30 years. I smile in delight as I reminisce about our volksmarches in the DVD and beyond and our membership in the Walter Reed Volksmarch Club. It was she who introduced me to Volksmarching. We chatted about family, friends, our bosses, and life in general as we walked in good weather and not so good weather, on easy trails and not so easy trails, in country and city, and in neighborhoods, parks, and woods. Only months apart in age, we shared girlhood memories of her in post war Germany and me in western Pennsylvania. Our lives were different in so many ways but many things were common to both of us.

I remember Renate as a family person, a people person, kind, inventive, thrifty and most of all actively engaged in life and eager to go where it would take her. Though we did not often see or communicate with each other after she moved to VA, I will miss receiving her Christmas letters and exchanging texts sharing our political views and those things special to us, and an occasional Volksmarch.

May God’s gifts of time, family and friends, and precious memories that she leaves behind comfort you now and in the days ahead.   Peace and Blessings, Pat Bolinger and Family  

I am deeply saddened by Renate’s passing. I was so looking forward to visiting her and sharing pictures of my new grandson. She was such a fighter, I felt surely she would pull through this last battle with illness. We always had wonderful conversations whenever we were together and I always felt that I would learn something new about Renate after being with her. I was Renate’s Spanish teacher at LLI and it was she and her close friend, Marya Dull, who got me the position. But because of Renate’s vast experience and knowledge, I always felt I learned more from her than she did from me. I love Renate and I will miss her so very much! She is unforgettable!❤️

Renate was an exceptional lady.  We marveled at her courage and the many activities she enjoyed and at which she excelled.   One of these was dance.  On behalf of the Sophisticats Dance Club, we extend our condolences .  Gerry

Renate was lovely!  I knew her through LifeLongLearning where I lectured from time to time, and especially though her friend Marya Dull, whose late husband Jim Washington was amyfriend and fellow Scottish country dancer. When Marya became handicapped, Renate was her supporter and the kindest friend one could imagine. As Marya lost her sight, her courage remained strong and her spirits high, due in large part to the kindness and caring of Renate, who drove her around and looked after her social needs.

High among the angels, I know that my dear musical friends Renate and Marya are singing softly together.

Dr Robin-Edward Poulton, Richmond VA.

We travelled  Germany, Spain, Portugal and Greece  plus Leona’s mountain in Dan Diego together and we played cards, shared stories, had a weekend on my Mom’s Chesapeake Bay home and  were M&M family for 14 years.  Happy we had our times together ♥️

Renate was a soft spoken woman that always guarded her words before she spoke so as not to offend anyone.

Always hopefully positive even during her most traumatic times. She gave everyone courage to face whatever life deals us.

She will be greatly missed, Joan Mannell (neighbor)

I was [ how you felt ] when I heard the news of Renate's passing.