Obituary of Rena Weifenbach

RENA ( DOLORES) WEIFENBACH 1936-2011 Rena (Dolores) Weifenbach of Niskayuna died in her home on April 19th, 2011 after living with and defeating the increasingly debilitating and painful results of Scleroderma for 20 years. At the time of death, her family and close friends surrounded her, a fitting end to the life she made as a generous, kind, and faithful friend who unfailingly put others' needs before her own. Even when her own deteriorating physical condition produced near-constant pain, she did errands for others and showed up in every way for life. Rena was born in Troy, N.Y. on June 10, 1936 to Mary Rae Vallelunga. She attended Saint Patrick's Elementary School and Catholic Central High School. She earned a Masters of Art Degree in English from SUNY Albany in 1959 and taught English at Oneida Junior High School for several years. She received a Master's Degree in Social Work in 1969 and then enjoyed a fulfilling career as chief Psychiatric Social Worker at Ellis hospital's mental health clinic and as director of the Jones House in Schenectady. After her retirement she worked part time for Catholic Charities. Rena adopted Judaism when she became a Jew by choice in the 1970's. Rena treasured Judaism as a blueprint for living an ethical life. It became her deepest guide and most cherished focus of thorough scholarship. She immersed herself in its history, literature, culture, and steadfastly, joyously upheld its traditions of worship, study, good works and culinary appreciation with passion, dedication, and affection. She perfected the art of chicken soup, which her guests deeply appreciated at the ceremonial Passover seders and Rosh Hashanah feasts she loved to host in her home. She became Bat Mitzvah'd on October 25, 1980 and contributed to worship services regularly by chanting Torah for all the years after. When her voice became weakened due to illness, she would not speak for a day before so that her voice would be strong enough to carry during the service. Rena approached topics of interest with careful scholarship. She loved to study and participated in various study and book groups. She maintained membership in both Agudat Achim and Congregation Gates of Heaven, becoming an active and responsible member in both congregations and a highly respected member of the Capital District Jewish community. Her leadership roles included Presidency of Sisterhood and a leader of the Book Group at Congregation Gates of Heaven, where she was a pillar of the Shabbat morning Torah study group. She was a life member of Hadassah and the Daughters of Sarah Auxiliary, her congregations' Women's Network and Sisterhood, and a Havurah. She earned a Certificate of Jewish Learning in 2006 from the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School olf the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She was equally passionate about her family and especially loved taking everyone for a annual vacation on Massachusetts' North Shore. Balancing her strict and determined approach to study and religion, she loved animals and nature and had a wonderful sense of humor. Rena was predeceased by her mother, Mary Rae Vallelunga and by her lifelong friend, mentor and advisor, Adelaide Oppenheim, and by her first husband, Russell Felthousen. She leaves her children, Mark (Maggie) Felthousen, Sarah Weifenbach (Chuck) Steen, and Terri Weifenbach; her former husband and friend, Bill Weifenbach; five grandchildren: Michael and Benjamin Felthousen and Kyle, Hudson and Davis Steen; her sister Joanne Connor; her nieces and nephews, Christine, Thomas, Scott Connor and Denise Connor Mulvey; and several cousins. She also leaves a very loving extended family of close friends: Leiah, Lee and Seth Bowden; Rosanne, Randy, Erin, Tim, and Ben Patten; and Dawn, Rich, Aimee and Ryan Okonski. The family thanks all of Rena's friends for their loving attention and Hospice of Schenectady for its compassionate caregivers. The family suggests that those wishing to honor Rena's memory through a gift to a charity consider The Temple Gates of Heaven Library Fund and Hospice of Schenectady. The funeral will be at Temple Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Ave. in Schenectady on Thursday, April 21st at 1:00pm.