Elise Emanuel

Elise Emanuel, 87, of Williamsburg, passed away on August 24, 2025. She was born in Denver, CO, to the late Pauline and Harold Lindbloom. Elise graduated from South High School in Denver and Colorado State University in Fort Collins. As an army wife, she lived on numerous Army bases throughout the country and Europe but ultimately settled in Williamsburg and began a career as a devoted teacher, guidance counselor, leader, and education advocate in the Williamsburg-James City County School Division (W-JCC).

Elise knew from the sixth grade that she wanted to be a teacher. She began teaching in Colorado and later taught in Williamsburg and was an elementary guidance counselor at Fort Bragg, NC. Upon moving to Williamsburg in 1966 with her family Elise started a 34-year career in the W-J-CC schools. She taught social studies at James Blair High School while earning her master's degree in guidance and counseling from the College of William and Mary. She was one of the first teachers to open Lafayette High School in 1973. She transitioned from teaching to advising students in 1977, was the director of guidance at Lafayette in the late 1990s, retiring in 2001.

Following her retirement from the W-JCC schools, she served three four-year terms on the W-JCC School Board and two years as the chairperson, marking 46 years in the division. She was known as an exceptional teacher, advisor, and mentor to those she taught, worked with, and served alongside on boards. Elise was president of the local education association and served on the Board of the Virginia Education Association. She served on the Thomas Nelson Community College board of directors and was selected by the state legislature to be a trustee on the Virginia Retirement System board and later nominated by Governor Mark Warner to serve as chair. She served on the VRS Board for 8 years. She also served on the WHRO Board of Directors.

Elise married her husband, David Scherer, in 2005. Although David was a reluctant traveler, they enjoyed traveling the world together, as well as quiet days at home. In 2018, she, David, and her two daughters traveled to Europe on a Grand European Viking cruise. She wanted her youngest daughter to see where she was born and where the family had lived in Germany. Her favorite pastimes were socializing with her friends, attending cultural, community, and political events, reading, playing Sudoku, and watching Rachel and Nicolle.

She attended St. Stephen Lutheran Church, where she served on committees and volunteered as a Stephen Minister, a companion to individuals going through difficult life experiences.

She was actively involved in politics and supported numerous causes that were close to her heart, including the arts community and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Elise was predeceased by her husband, David Scherer; her sister, Betty Rae LeGray, and her niece, Laura Hirschy. She leaves behind her daughters, Kathy Emanuel and Barbara Emanuel, her grandson Alec Emanuel, David's son Mark Nazimova (Ghada Captan), her nieces Daphne Hallman (Tim) and Elizabeth LeGray, her nephew Jeff Petersen (Sherry) , brother-in law John Legray and her best friend, RuthAnn Kellum (Ron).

The family wishes to thank Mary and Darryl Jimmerson for their support throughout the years, and Tracy Lambert for her kindness and support this past year.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Cedar Grove Cemetery. A reception will immediately follow at the Williamsburg Winery's Wessex Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice, or doing a kind deed for someone in need.