Renate Hofer

The Story of Renate

Renate Hofer entered Heaven on September 2, 2026 at New Vista Long Term Care Home in Burnaby. She had a long and well-lived life for 93 years.

She and her twin brother Eberhard were born on April 6, 1933 in Nassau, Germany to the Hendsch family. There were 3 older siblings, Gerhard, Hildegard and Wilhelm at home to welcome the twins. The family moved to Stuttgart where Renate went to school and later worked at the German Telephone Company, where she was an overseas operator. She met her future husband at a dance when she was 16 where she asked him to dance when it was ‘ladies choice’. She married Rolf Schreckenhofer in 1958 and the couple emigrated to Canada, settling in Vancouver B.C. When Renate was pregnant with her first daughter Karen, the decision was made to officially change their surname to Hofer ‘for the sake of the children’. Brenda came 3 years later and completed the family. The Hofers bought a house and settled in Port Coquitlam. When her daughters joined Brownies, she became involved as the Tawny Owl. She was a committed volunteer at her church Trinity United, where she worked in the Thrift Store, and was part of the Women’s Deborah Unit. She also helped out at the Recreation Center working in the kitchen.

When her daughters entered high school she decided to get a job and was hired at the German Delicatessen at Lougheed Mall. Later she worked in a Coffee and Antique Store despite not knowing much about either. But in a short while she was well versed in both, andher boss told her she could ‘sell ice to Eskimos’.

Rolf and Renate loved to travel and visited Cuba, Mexico and Hawaii.They took a Panama Canal cruise and also visited Europe several times where they visited family and friends in Germany.

When Renate lost her beloved husband in 1994 to cancer, she decided to stay in the family home and remained there for 15 years. Her wish was to remain living in Port Coquitlam so she purchased a condominium on Shaughnessy Street. When she grew tired of cooking, Renate relocated to Astoria Retirement Community. The last year of her life she resided at New Vista.

Renate was very social and always enjoyed meeting new people. She joined the Red Hat Society and often attended ‘kaffeeklatches’ and dinners out with her many German friends.

In later years Brenda married Tim and Renate was thrilled when her only granddaughter Adrianna was born in 2003. She often spoke fondly of her ‘little family’. There were ‘girls’ trips to Disneyland, Mexico, two Alaskan cruises and the annual trip to Harrison Hotsprings that occurred for 15 consecutive years. Together the whole family vacationed in Hawaii and enjoyed another Alaskan cruise.

Renate was devoted to her family, a good friend to many and gave back to her community. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

“Renate loved well and in return was well loved”