Rena J. Olshansky, 88, loving and beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother, celebrated broadcaster and author, and devoted civic and Jewish community leader, passed away in Cleveland on October 13, 2023.
Born October 31, 1934, in Cleveland, Rena was the cherished daughter of Ezra & Sylvia Shapiro, adoring sister of the late Daniel Shapiro, devoted wife of the late Bernard Olshansky, loving mother of Catharyn ( Myron) “Mike” Gildesgame, David (Amy Tardio) Blumberg, and Stuart( Mia Moross) Blumberg, proud aunt of Jon, Andrew, and Peter, and doting grandmother to Emma, Jesse, Sophie, Andrew, Alex, William, and Noa. She was treasured by many other family members and “family of choice,” including Jeff Orloff, Marcie Goodman, and Sally Gries.
Rena graduated from Cleveland Heights High School in 1952 and received a BA cum laude from Brandeis in 1956, later serving on its Board of Trustees and becoming Trustee Emerita for life.
For decades, Rena was a force of nature on the Cleveland scene as a celebrated radio broadcaster at WDOK who interviewed notable leaders including Gloria Steinem, Tony Curtis, Arthur Ashe, and Jimmy Carter on “Rena on Cleveland,” which ran from 1972 to 1999. She was also the author of “Headstrong,” a groundbreaking 1982 memoir of living through chemotherapy (she survived four battles with cancer), and a businesswoman who started her own PR company, Reignmaker, in her 60s.
Rena was a tireless supporter of countless causes, charities, and institutions throughout Cleveland, serving on over 40 board of directors including Providence House, Playhouse Square, and the Cleveland Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum. And behind the scenes, she spent thousands of hours in private helping her fellow cancer survivors in their healing journeys.
Known for her larger-than-life personality, her love of colorful outfits, and her mission to always live “In Celebration,” Rena will be missed by the countless people whose lives she touched.
Graveside services will be held at 3pm on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Bet Olam Cemetery, 25796 Chagrin Blvd in Beachwood. Following the services, the family will sit shiva at the Cleveland Marriott East, 26300 Harvard Rd. Warrensville Heights, OH (in the Cleveland Room) until 8 PM.
Contributions in Rena’s memory may be made to Providence House, Brandeis University, and American Friends of Magen David Adom.
Friends who are unable to attend the service, may view it beginning Wednesday, October 18th by going to YouTube under search enter: Rena Olshansky Funeral Service
Arrangement under Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel
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