Rena received a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. She spent 20 years at Blue Cross Blue Shield (now Highmark) rising through the ranks as an early trailblazer for corporate women leaders. She loved technology and its transformative power and leveraged her skills in information technology and management to rise as one of the early women Directors of the firm. She then went on to form her own consulting firm, advising clients on information technology for emerging industries at the time, including cellular and wireless, and moving from Pittsburgh to the stunning landscape of the Pacific Northwest just as the information technology industry was catching fire.
Rena was a confidante, mentor, and loyal advocate to her family and friends, and a shining example of a life well lived. She loved travel, good food and wine, art and night life, and cosmopolitan cities. Above all, she loved her surviving husband of 19 years, Fred Kolm, whom through a bit of serendipity stepped into her life one quiet evening in Seattle, and never left her side. She lived every day to its apex, never compromising on taste and quality, from handbags to jewelry, and her signature chic haircuts, always reflecting her uncompromising style.
In her years soaking in the good life with Fred in Florida, they traveled the world from Australia, to Russia, to the Middle East and beyond. They visited castles, tiny ports of call, seeking out the wonders of the world with family and friends when possible and enjoying every new adventure. Rena made it to every country on her bucket list from China to Rome to the Swiss Alps, Iceland, and beyond.
She was committed without compromise to her family. Always seeking the perfect gift as Great Aunt to Chase, August, Silas, Lily, Sophia, Elle, Willow, Hudson and Ali, and step-granddaughters Jennifer and Ashley. She adored her sisters Nancy Morton (Bob Morton, Punta Gorda, FL) and Marsha Remaley (deceased) (Charles Remaley, New Kensington, PA), and loved dearly her nieces and nephews and their families – Dawn & Rob Bradford (Chicago, IL), Evie Remaley & Dennis Hasch (Fairfax Station, VA), Michael & Kate Dombroski (Lower Burrell, PA), Charles Remaley (deceased) & Bruce Moats (David Bucher, Washington, DC), and John Remaley (Greensburg, PA). For each of us her light shone bright through her support, her generous worldview, and through the experiences and adventures that she shared with us always filled with fun and laughter.
Although Rena’s family is losing one of its brightest lights, her legacy will live on through the laughter and the love that she shared, and the inspiration that she provided to all of us to soar, to inspire, and to care for one another beyond all odds.
The family will hold a memorial service for Rena Duncan at a later date in Washington, DC to coincide with her burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Donations in Rena’s honor can be provided to Dress for Success in Fort Myers, FL, or the John Hopkins Stroke Center in Baltimore, MD.
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