Rena Frelow

1928 - 2020

Rena Frelow

Rena Frelow, 92, died on April 6, 2020 in White Plains, NY. She was born March 7, 1928 in New York City to Eva and Hyman Sirota. Always considerate and kind, Rena touched many lives with her smarts, love, thoughtful listening, and compassionate insight. After entering college at only 15, Rena applied her considerable talents to educational leadership and advocacy through her work with children, families, teachers, schools, and organizations in East Harlem and Westchester County. She worked proudly as a teacher and then a principal in a career that spanned over 40 years. She was a life-long educator, activist, and humanist and worked with others for equity and social justice. Into her retirement, she served as a board member of the W.I.S.E. program of Westchester County, providing mentors and opportunities for high school seniors to create and implement project-based learning.

She married Dr. Robert Dean Frelow in 1982. She was a devoted wife, loving and generous mother and stepmother, and a kind and committed daughter, sister, grandmother, friend, aunt, cousin, and confidante to many. She spoke fluent Yiddish and was a brilliant raconteur of the history of her family, she spoke passable French; was the world's best Jeopardy player, hands down; was an avid reader with an extensive vocabulary; loved opera, art, music, and theater; she had a wry sense of humor; and remained open-minded and intellectually inquisitive her entire life. Although she and Bob retired to Santa Fe and traveled around the world, New York was always her home. Wherever she lived, she opened her heart and home graciously, hosting festive celebrations at holidays and family occasions.

Rena is survived by her husband Bob; her son Martin Hersh, his wife Cheryl Hersh, and their children Matthew and Andrew; her daughter Ruth Hersh and her spouse Sara Alfaro-Franco. In addition, she is survived by her step sons and their families, Robert D. Frelow, Jr. and his spouse Jackie Frelow, and their children Odis, Rob and Jessica; Frederick Frelow and his spouse Victoria Frelow, and their son Derek, and Michael Frelow. She is also survived by her brother Sidney Sirota, and her nieces Gail Sirota and Carol Flax and their respective spouses Leslie Stenull and Bruce Flax; her nephews and niece Mark, Jeffery, and Joan Hersh, her cousins Charles and Yvette Librader, Renee Philips, Alicia Kuzechuk Jack Medoff, and Marc Wald. She is also survived by her dearest friend of 80 years, Reggie Klein, and her children Barbara, Steven, and Richard Klein; her friends Kaaren and Numa Rousseve and Ilene and Ruben Schwartz, along with so many more who are grateful to carry her in their hearts. Rena was a woman with a big heart, and even bigger feet, and no one will fill her shoes."