Renee Charlotte Kasner's Obituary
KASNER, Reneé Charlotte (née KREUTZER), Ed.D.,
52, peacefully passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2017, surrounded by her proud, loving and adoring family, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
Reneé most recently lived in Boca Raton with her loving husband and soulmate, David N. Kasner. Renee and David shared not only their lives together but the same birth date, seven years apart. She was born in Miami on August 29, 1964, the first child of Judith and Franklin D. Kreutzer. She attended pre-school at Temple Beth Am, elementary school at the Henry S. West Laboratory (West Lab) School, Glades Middle School and Gulliver Preparatory School before graduating from Southwest Miami Senior High School.
Reneé attended the University of Hartford, earning her Associate of Arts Degree. She then enrolled at the University of Miami, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education, specializing in elementary and early childhood academics, in 1987. The following year, she earned her Master's Degree, specializing in exceptional education. Reneé's Doctorate Degree followed in 2004, specializing both in curriculum and instruction as well as educational leadership, earned at Florida International University, where her diploma was bestowed by her educational role model, her former West Lab principal Patricia Frost.
Reneé's first passion was her son, Jordan Louis Mussman, now a junior at Florida State University. Jordan's life experiences always were Reneé's central priority, and Jordan is a remarkable testament to his mother's devotion to him. Her second passion was teaching, which began at Temple Beth Am day school. Reneé taught fulltime at West Lab, where she was nominated for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools' Teacher of the Year award. She also taught at Frances S. Tucker Elementary School in Coconut Grove and, most recently, at Verde Elementary School in Boca Raton, where she was affectionately known as "Dr. K". She was an incredible instructor, focused on special-education and emotionally handicapped students in grades K-5, and made significant and lasting impacts through her care, compassion and sheer tenacity.
While growing up, Reneé loved annual family trips to Aspen, and later trips to London, Austria and Israel. Her annual "pilgrimage" to New York City with David to enjoy Broadway shows and the city itself were always a highlight, as were the many cruises the couple took. Reneé and David were always on the concert circuit, particularly Billy Joel, the Allman Brothers Band, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi and many others. Reneé and David just enjoyed being together.
There was no greater fan of the University of Miami's football program than Reneé, a season ticket holder for many years. She even purchased her Orange Bowl seat before the stadium's demolition, and proudly displayed it in her home. Reneé can even be seen in ESPN's "30 for 30" television series about the rise of UM's football program in the 1980s. Her brother Jay and his wife Lisa made a custom hospital gown for Reneé, featuring the UM seal, name and logos, which she proudly showed off.
Reneé was a very active member of Temple Zion Israelite Center when living in Miami, and joined B'nai Torah Congregation when she moved to Boca Raton. She attended Camp Ramah in New England, the Alexander Muss High School in Israel, and United Synagogue Youth programs and conventions. Reneé was a Democrat but always was willing to hear the other side. She was proud that she was able to vote by absentee ballot from her hospital room, and she also was a passionate and devoted supporter of women's rights.
Reneé's cancer specialist, Dr. Ricardo Estape, and his team of Drs. Eric Schroeder and John P. Diaz, along with the many daytime and nighttime nurses and staff on South Miami Hospital's fifth and seventh floors, were extraordinary and so kind to Reneé and her family. Reneé's chemotherapy nurse, Kristina Rau, was far more than a nurse – she became one of Reneé's closest confidants. Reneé was greatly comforted in her final months and days by Lori Glassberg, her very best friend since age two, and by Pam Polani, among many dear friends from Boca Raton who frequently visited her at home and in the hospital. Special thanks to Ursula Wilson, for being with Reneé daily throughout her hospitalization. Reneé frequently thought of and spoke about Geraldine O. Delany.
Reneé was encouraged and supported by all of the numerous, wonderful mishpocha family members and longtime friends and teaching associates who came from near and far to visit her and spend quality time with him.
In addition to her son, Jordan; her husband David and his two grown children, Danielle and Adam, whom Reneé guided and loved and who loved Reneé very much; and her parents Judith and Franklin, Reneé is survived by her ever-loving brother Jay E. Kreutzer and his wonderful wife Lisa, who was so very supportive of both Reneé and Jay, and her niece and nephews Sari, Shane and Miles, whom Reneé loved and adored so very much as if they were her own children.
Funeral services will be held at Levitt Weinstein Chapel, 18840 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach (786/207-1246) at 1pm on Tuesday, January 31, with burial immediately following at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery, 1125 NW 137th Street, Miami (305/681-4432).
The family suggests that contributions in Reneé's memory be made to Baptist Health Foundation, Gynecological Oncology Fund, c/o Annie Martinez-Lopez, Esq., 6855 South Red Road, Coral Gables, FL 33143.
Shiva will follow internment at the home of Reneé’s parents, Judith and Franklin Kreutzer,8615 SW 48th Street, Miami, Fl. 33155 -- (305) 226-8623
On Wednesday, Shiva will be held ONLY at Reneé and David Kasner’s home address at 20191 Palm Island Drive, Boca Raton, Fl. 33498, from 5 - 8 pm. Judy and Frank will travel to Boca Raton.
On Thursday, Shiva will be held at 6 - 8 pm (minyon at 7pm) at the home of Reneé’s parents, Judith and Franklin Kreutzer, 8615 SW 48th Street, Miami, Fl. 33155 and also at Reneé and David Kasner’s home address at 20191 Palm Island Drive, Boca Raton, Fl. 33498, from 5 - 8 pm.
Shiva will resume after Shabbat on Sunday, at 6 - 8 pm (minyon at 7pm) at the home of Reneé’s parents, Judith and Franklin Kreutzer 8615 SW 48th Street, Miami, Fl. 33155.
Jordan, Frank and Judy will attend morning, shacharit services at Bet Shira Congregation.
The Kreutzer family respectfully requests that all observances in their home be made in a traditional Jewish manner, in keeping with Kosher parve and/or cold dairy dietary laws.
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