In the days following Renél Fleitmann’s passing, I, Tanya, found myself flooded with memories, emotions, and stories—not just my own, but those of many others who had been touched by her warmth and presence.
Renél wasn’t just part of our community at the German Club Paarl; she was the heart of it. Her laugh, her kindness, her quiet encouragement—all of it left a lasting impression.
Writing this blog post became a way for me to honour her memory, to share her story, and to create a space where others could also reflect on the moments they shared with her. It is not just a tribute—it is a celebration of the incredible woman we were privileged to know.
This is for you, Renél. Thank you for everything.
A Night to Remember
On the evening of 14 May—my birthday—my husband, Freddie, had secretly planned a surprise party for me at the German Club. I had no idea.
It was Renél Fleitmann who gently coaxed me to come, smiling with that signature twinkle in her eye. She told me to come to the club because she wanted to have a drink with me for my birthday. I went—and walked straight into a room full of love, laughter, and music.
Renél enjoyed every moment of that night. She moved through the room with her usual warmth—laughing, chatting, and lighting up every conversation.
I never imagined that would be the last evening we’d spend together—but now I feel deeply honoured that her final night was one of joy, music, and celebration.
Her Presence Lingers
Since that night, something has shifted. People walking into the German Club have stopped to share their memories of Renél. Stories of kindness, encouragement, and the little things she remembered—even conversations from years ago. That was Renél: present, intentional, thoughtful.
Sometimes, when I’m at the club, I find myself pausing—almost expecting her to walk in with that warm smile she always carried. There’s a candle burning now in her honour, a quiet reminder of the light she brought into our lives.
Her absence is deeply felt, but so is her presence. It’s in the laughter we still hear echoing through the hall. It’s in the warm greetings. It’s in the comfort of community.
Words from Friends Who Loved Her
“My liefste vriendin en mater, sjoe, waar begin ek? Dit is vir my verskriklik moeilik om jou te groet en afskeid te neem, en om te besef dat ons nooit weer ons besonderse kuiers en oomblikke gaan hê nie. Ons verhouding was so spesiaal dat ek graag die volgende vir jou wil sê: As ek deur my siel se blaaie krap, kry ek ons boek van “ONTHOU.” In die eenvoud van jou lag, pret en stilte bêre ek jou “sê-goed.” Daar koester ek jou eerlikheid en warm persoonlikheid tussen die blaaie van ons “ONTHOU-GOED.” Daar ontdek ek jou liefde, en dit laat my trane stort van vreugde, geluk en dankbaarheid – dat ek iemand so spesiaal in my lewe gehad het. Renél, ek wens jou rus en vrede toe. Onthou net: ek gaan jou nog baie pla oor al ons lekker herinneringe en tonne vrae. Ek gaan jou en al ons kuiers so ongelooflik baie mis.” – Jou mater, Hetty
“Renèl, op ’n stil, normale nag het die engele van die hemel jou kom haal. My hart is seer. Ons het mekaar die laaste tyd min gesien, maar steeds vir mekaar boodskappies gestuur en gewaai as ons in die middag kinders moes rondry. Ek gaan ons kuiertjies en geselsies in die Duitse Klub baie mis! Jy was ’n geliefde mens met ’n omgee-hart – altyd vriendelik en opreg. As blomme in die hemel groei, Here, kies asseblief vir my ’n klomp en plaas dit in Renèl se arms. Sê dis van my af – dat ek haar liefhet en haar baie mis. Druk haar styf vas en soen haar op haar wang. Tot weersiens, my vriendin.” – Bernadette
“Totsiens, Renél. As ek aan jou dink, sien ek net daardie vriendelike sonskynlaggie – altyd reg vir ‘n drukkie. Jy was ’n omgee-mens; mens kon dit sommer aanvoel! We remember, we honor, we carry you in our hearts.” – Johan & Liana Joubert
In Loving Memory of Renél – From My Heart
Renél was everything you could hope for in a friend. Her presence brought light, her laughter warmed hearts, and her spirit was a safe place of sincerity and love.
She will always be remembered for:
Her reliability
You could confide in her, trust her with your heart and your stories. She earned that trust through her honesty and loyalty.
Her laughter and love for life
When Renél laughed, it was wholehearted. She had a way of making any situation feel lighter with her sense of humour and spontaneous joy.
Her authenticity
She was always herself—honest, humble, and never pretending to be anyone else.
Her kindness to everyone
She welcomed people with a gentle smile and an open heart. No one was ever a stranger to her.
Her Christian faith
Her life was deeply rooted in her relationship with God. She lived out love, forgiveness, and peace.
Her love for her family
Her heart belonged to her family. She spoke of them with such pride and deep affection—they were her greatest joy. She created a home filled with love, and her role as wife, mother, and grandmother was something she cherished with her whole being.
Her warmth and compassion
She saw others’ pain and helped carry their burdens. Her empathy ran deep.
Her calm in difficult times
She brought peace where there was tension, and hope where there was sadness.
Her unwavering support and presence
Renél showed up—for your joy and your tears. She genuinely cared.
Her positive spirit
Even on tough days, she found reasons to smile, to lift others, and to spread kindness.
She was a rare soul—someone you only meet once in a lifetime. We will miss her more than words can say, but her legacy will live on in every laugh, every quiet prayer, and every act of love.
A Song for Renél
In the days following her passing, I felt moved to write a song in her honour. It was a way for me to process the loss and celebrate the light she brought into all our lives. Below you can listen to the audio recording, and the full lyrics are shared beneath it.
Lyrics: In Loving Memory – A Song for Renél
Renél walked with grace, with love in her stride
A gentle heart the world could not hide
A mother, a gran, a friend, and a wife
A soul who gave light to every life
With laughter that danced like the morning sun
With arms wide open to everyone
In every whisper of the breeze
We feel her love, we feel her peace
In loving memory, we hold her near
Renél’s voice and smile still echo here
Her faith, her warmth, her gentle way
Still lights the path through every day
She loved the Lord, she loved us all
And caught each tear before it’d fall
A light that time can’t take away
We carry her in heart today
She’d welcome you with an open door
No soul a stranger, rich or poor
A glass of wine, a glowing flame
A candle burning in her name
She’d laugh beneath the summer sky
At German Club on Friday nights
Her presence made that place feel whole
She brought the heart, the love, the soul
She stood through storms with quiet might
Her calm a beacon in the night
And when you wept, she stayed near
With whispered hope and silent cheer
In loving memory, we hold her near
Renél’s voice and smile still echo here
Her faith, her warmth, her gentle way
Still lights the path through every day
She loved the Lord, she loved us all
And caught each tear before it’d fall
A light that time can’t take away
We carry her in heart today
Now every bird that takes to flight
And every star that shines at night
Reminds us of her tender soul
Still watching, still making us whole
In loving memory, she lives on still
In every quiet, every thrill
Renél’s joy, her strength, her loving gaze
Will walk beside us all our days
She loved the Lord, she loved us true
And in His arms, she’s shining through
A legacy of love and grace
Forever held in warm embrace
Yes, we’ll miss her every day
But love like hers will always stay
As Shared in the Paarl Post
To honour her life and legacy, the Paarl Post featured a beautiful obituary in their 22 May 2025 edition titled “Geliefde Paarliet skielik oorlede”.
It shared Renél’s life journey—from her school days at WA Joubert and ‘Hoërskool Gimnasium’, to her marriage to Richard, their international adventures, and her heartfelt return to Paarl where she touched so many lives.
The article highlighted her deep love for her children and grandchildren, her kindness, and her commitment to the German Club where she was known as “die Duitsers se Moeder”. It captured what so many of us feel—that her passing leaves a space no one else can fill.
Thank You, Renél
You gave us love. You gave us laughter. You gave us memories.
We will hold them close—always.
Leb wohl, liebe Renél. Du bleibst für immer in unseren Herzen.
-Tanya Janse van Rensburg
