Renee E. Cole

Renee was born in Silver Springs MD and grew up overseas as a State Department brat. She lived in Egypt (her favorite) Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, and the Philippines. She met her future husband in Amman, Jordan when she was in the 8^th grade, and he was in the 7^th grade, a younger man!

She attended Stetson University and got her Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. Her parents, and her future husband’s parents, retired in Florida and the two families got reacquainted. She was married to Kenneth Monroe in Ormond Beach in 1976 and accompanied him on a wild, decades long ride to Colorado, North Carolina and back to Florida.

After settling in Vero Beach with Ken and their two daughters, Renee worked for the Indian River County School District for nearly 15 years. During that time, she managed the Extended Day Program at Osceola Magnet School, where she was fondly called “Mrs. Renee”. She was passionate about her job and deeply cherished all of the relationships she made with the students, families, and co-workers throughout the years.  She would have parents and students from years past stop her while out in public to relive fond memories, “Mrs. Renee, is that you?!”

Renee was an amazing mother to her two biological daughters, but she was also a remarkable “secondary mother” to a large cast of characters who affectionately referred to her as “Mom”. This comes as no surprise as she had a huge heart full of love and showered all those close to her with it. Renee was effortlessly kind and compassionate; she always had an open ear that truly listened and, most of the time, had sage advice to offer. She was well known for her vivacious and loving personality, her razor sharp wit and sarcasm, and of course, her boundless sense of humor. She was an incredible friend, an outstanding mother, and a loving wife.

Though her family is absolutely devastated by her loss, they take comfort in knowing that she is no longer suffering and that her legacy of love and compassion will leave a lasting impact on all those who have had the pleasure of knowing her.

Renee was predeceased by her brother Jim of Daytona Beach and her parents James Robert Cole and Dorothy Cole of Ormond Beach.

She is survived by her husband Ken, and daughters, Jordan and Katie.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and dedicated to the name of Renee Cole.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.