Lakeside resident Julie Ann Rene died November 9 in a Guadalajara hospital after a sudden illness at the age of 69.
Born August 17, 1942 in Boise, Idaho, Rene was the eldest of three children. One favorite claim to fame was being school jacks champion when in third grade. She graduated from Twin Falls (Idaho) High School, were she met the “love of her life” Ron Rene. The couple married in 1960 in Twin Falls.
The Renes moved to Pocatello, Idaho in 1961 and raised three sons there. Julie took several college courses and worked in multiple positions during her first ten years in Pocatello, including Farmers Insurance and five years as a court clerk. She then launched a 15-year entrepreneurial career, opening a retail shop named Just Julie’s. Much of the store’s success was related to her helpful outgoing nature and her unique laugh. Her business was collocated for its last five years with her husband’s Ron’s Car and Sport golf store. The Renes’ family and grandchildren enjoyed spending family reunions and holidays in their town house overlooking Riverside Golf Course.
The Renes first visited the Lake Chapala area in the spring of 2004 after Julie read an article about it in AARP magazine. They decided that the area was definitely where they wanted to retire. They sold their businesses, packed up their belongings and moved to the Las Fuentes subdivision of Jocotepec by December 15 of that year. The last seven years of Julie’s life were most enjoyable as she was able to spend lots of time with her husband.
Julie was often the first to welcome new neighbors and she volunteered each Thursday morning at the Lake Chapala Society Video Library.
The Renes celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last fall with more than 50 friends in Mexico and in the United States with family at a private cabin in Washington State.
Julie is survived by her husband Ron Rene, sons Randy Rene (wife Donna), Rick Rene (wife Shannon), Rob Rene (wife Laura), ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Julie’s life will be held near her home in Jocotepec at a future date. Donations can be made to the Julie Ann Rene Fountain Fund that will allow a fountain in Julie’s name to be running at the entrance of the Las Fuentes community. Details of the service and how to donate will be posted on www.carringbridge.org/julierene.