Renee Manheimer, a passionate Spanish teacher from Lima, Peru, who used a variety of techniques to entertain and educate her students, died on Friday, May 12, 2023. She was 55.

Renee met her husband, Josh Manheimer, on the internet on January 1, 2000, and flew to the US with her 14-year-old son, Tomas, seven days later. They were married under a waterfall in South Strafford five months later.

Those who knew Renee would point to her passion for teaching Spanish, her native tongue, as her truly extraordinary gift to the world. Renee took the art of teaching seriously, and used a variety of differentiated techniques to help educate and entertain her students. Much of her time at home was devoted to creating innovative lesson plans, whether it was translating Robert Frost poems into Spanish for her students to memorize, or teaching an entire grade how to sing along and dance with a Marc Anthony video on Youtube.

Renee completed her Master's training at Plymouth State and her Doctorate at the international Catholic University. Working with elementary and middle school students, Renee was head of the Language Department at Crossroads Academy in Lyme.

In addition to her numerous accomplishments in Peru, Renee would say her greatest accomplishment here was putting her two children through college. Tomas received his Bachelors degree from Norwich University. Upon graduation Tomas commissioned into the US Navy, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander before leaving active duty for the private sector. Renee then set out to put her daughter, Mia, through nursing school at Castleton. Several weeks ago, Renee attended Mia's "white coat" ceremony.

In addition to her family, Renee leaves behind dozens of students she has impassioned with her culture and the love of speaking Spanish.

An informal service to celebrate her life will take place on Monday, May 15, 2023, at 6 pm at Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction, VT.