Johanne Renbeck

Johanne Chandler Renbeck

CLINTON - Johanne (Jo) Chandler Renbeck, 70, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, actor, artist, poet and friend, passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday morning March 7th, 2013 after a two month fight with brain cancer.

She was born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 29th, 1942, to parents Eric Chandler and Adah Boesen and grew up in Rochester, NY.

Jo graduated from the University of Rochester with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Library Science. She later earned a Masters in Education at SUNY New Paltz.

Jo met her husband Robert Renbeck while they were both students at the University of Rochester and married in 1965. They moved to the Hudson Valley in 1969 and have been residents of the Town of Clinton for the past 42 years.

A lifelong artist, Johanne also worked as a teacher in the Hyde Park CSD Gifted Program and subsequently at Vassar College's Wimpfheimer Nursery School before devoting herself full time to the arts. She studied painting, drawing and sculpture in continuing education programs at Rochester Institute of Technology and Bard College, and with Helen Frankenthaler at the Santa Fe Art Institute and utilized all of these mediums in her work. She has exhibited her art widely in the Hudson Valley as well as in Minneapolis, MN, Philiadelphia, PA and San Luis Obispo, California. Jo's most recent work has been in Book Arts which she also taught in her home studio. In 2011 she was given a solo exhibit of her Book Art work in the North Main Gallery in Salem, NY.

Over the years Jo has appeared in solo poetry performances, and in group theatrical productions, and has also crafted solo performances, featuring her own poetry.

She was an active member of the local community, volunteering for many years at the Clinton Community Library where she had served on the board and then lent her creativity to the Friends of the Library. At one time she also served as an elder of the Pleasant Plains Presbyterian Church.

Johanne is survived by her husband Robert Renbeck, her three children; Amy Saxum Carleton, Nicholas Renbeck and his wife Elisabeth Giglio, Jonathan Renbeck and his wife Anastasia Ware, six grandchildren, Morgan Carleton, Duncan Carleton, Ewan Carleton, Alexander Renbeck, Andrew Renbeck, and Thomas Renbeck, her brother Eric Chandler and his wife Carol Barney, her niece Margaret Chandler, and nephew Frederic Chandler.

A memorial service will be held for Johanne on Saturday March 16th, 2013, at the Pleasant Plains Presbyterian Church at two o'clock.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to one of the following; Clinton Community Library, Hudsonia, Saint Francis Hospital's Stroke & Oncology Departments, or an organization of your choice supporting the arts.

The family wishes to express their deepest thanks to the nurses, doctors, and staff of Saint Francis Hospital and to the nurses and aids of Hospice, as well as to Johanne's many wonderful friends who provided loving support and care to both Jo and the entire family during these past two months.

Johanne will be remembered for many things, especially her kindness, generosity, and the beauty she created.

Cremation arrangements by Henry J. Bruck Funeral Home, Inc., 261 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401.