Renée Marie Fraine, beloved mother, daughter, sister, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully in Richmond, Virginia, on Saturday, Sept. 28, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Originally from Rye, Renée moved to Richmond to finish her education at VCU. While attending VCU, she became the preferred nanny of many families because of her love of children and their fervent love for her. Renée’s natural connection with little ones helped her realize that teaching was her calling, and she returned to New York for a year to obtain her master’s from Iona University.
In Richmond, she was hired at St. Christopher’s Lower School where she taught for 17 years. She later moved to St. Joseph’s Catholic School, where Renée served and nurtured children needing the most attention. She was honored as the St. Joseph’s Teacher of the Year in 2024. The amount of care and kindness she received during the last five months from the St. Joseph’s community was absolute proof of the impact she made in that school community in such a short time.
She found her true calling and love, and even during her battle with cancer, she yearned to return to the students she loved so much. During Renée’s illness, friends from many different times and aspects of her life came together as a new community, supporting Renée and her family with a shared love of the beautiful Néné.
Even after her diagnosis, it was with a full heart and great pride that Renée was able to attend her son Jack’s graduation from St. Christopher’s School in May 2024, where he received two prestigious awards. An exceptional student, Jack is enrolled at NYU with a full scholarship.
In addition to her son, whom she loved above all things, Renée is survived by her mother Francesca Fraine, sisters Michele Fraine Capece and Carla Fraine Eggers, brother-in-law Bill Eggers, six cherished nieces and nephews, and many cousins. She was predeceased by her beloved father, Nicholas Fraine, in 1988 and her brother-in-law, Ed Capece, in 2023.
Internment will take place in Rye later in the year.
The family extends thanks to VCU Hospital-Palliative Care Unit, the VCU Hospice team for their unwavering support and advocacy, and to the Care Advantage team — Dominique, Bintou, Charnette, Shatina, and Tammy — for their incredible warmth and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Renée’s GoFundMe — to be used for remaining medical expenses and to support Jack.
Remembrances and condolences for Renée’s family may be sent to: Francesca Fraine, 300 Theall Road, #3CC, Rye, NY 10580