Rena Themistocles, 1929-2016, passed away peacefully at her home in Cambridge, MA, on Oct. 18, 2016. Born on December 1, 1929, she was the youngest daughter of Peter & Claire Themistocles and the youngest of the "Themistocles girls. " Rena was born and raised in Southbridge, MA. After attending Mary West High School in Southbridge and Emmanuel College, then living in Waban and Central Square, she moved to her lifelong home on the banks of the Charles River. There, she spent many fulfilling years assisting the faculty at MIT. Her competence was valued by all she worked with and one professor of Mathematics thanked her in his 1974 preface for; " Converting illegible scribble into typed manuscript." She was particularly proud of her time with the Center for Policy Alternatives where she maintained smooth running of the department with grace and efficiency.
She was the youngest of the Themistocles clan and is survived by her sister Victoria and brother Chris. She was predeceased by sisters, Catherine, Eleftheria, Vera and brothers: Michael, Van and Sam. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her, including her nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great nephews.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to MIT Undergraduate Scholarship Fund, in memory of Rena Themistocles.
Checks may be made payable to MIT and mailed to
Emily Hatch, Memorial Gifts Office
600 Memorial Drive, W98-500, Cambridge, MA 02139