Rena J. Calcaterra

Rena J. Calcaterra, a devoted mother, proud and affectionate grandmother, loyal sister, loving aunt, dedicated friend, trailblazing force of nature, resilient warrior, and ever optimistic life of the party, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026. Born in Hartford, CT on May 23, 1946, to proud parents, Louis and Theresa Calcaterra, and adoring big sister Caroline, Rena was a rare gem from the very beginning. A graduate of Conard High School and Bay Path College, Rena began her career at SwissAir and went on to hold vital positions at Gemini, Aetna, and the Office of Tourism for the State of Connecticut. Never one to be told no, and determined to make her biggest dream a reality, Rena achieved her proudest accomplishment when she became a mother to Peter Joseph Calcaterra in 1986. Her love for Peter knew no bounds. They were a team of two from the very beginning and remained that way until the end. Peter brought into Rena’s life a loving daughter-in-law, Colleen, and the immeasurably joyous gift of grandchildren, Everett Henry Calcaterra, Finn William Calcaterra, and Mabel Elizabeth Calcaterra. Being a grandmother (“Nan”) to her three grandchildren was a pleasure she couldn’t have cherished more. Rena’s loving family and closest friends meant everything to her. She found great joy in her roles as daughter, sister, aunty, cousin, and friend. She could have taught a Master Class in what it meant to show up for them and others in ways both large and small. An artist with flowers and a virtuoso with a glue gun, Rena had a flair for the creative arts and crafting skills that would put Martha Stewart to shame. Rena loved holidays and began a beautiful tradition of hosting her nieces and nephews, grandchildren and children of friends and neighbors to her home around the holidays to teach them a craft and turn it into a gift for their parents. Rena didn’t just make friends she made friends into family. To be Rena’s friend meant you had an ever ready dance partner, a girlfriend to shop for the perfect dress with, a book club host, a pal to sit with on the beach (just don’t ask her to take a dip in the ocean!), a confidant to spill the tea with, a travel companion, an interior decorator, a fantastic baker who would gladly share her Rocky Road Cake recipe, and a terrific Italian home cook who didn’t gatekeep her Sunday sauce recipe. If a good life can be measured by the people whose lives one has changed for the better, laughs had, and love shared, Rena lived the best of lives. The world is a better place for having had her in it. She will be forever missed. Rena is survived by her son, Peter, and daughter-in-law, Colleen; her grandchildren, Everett, Finn, and Mabel; her sister, Caroline Schwartzmann, and brother-in-law, Maurice; her nieces, Kristine Bresch and husband Tom, Kelly Carlone and husband Angelo, Kerry DiMatteo and husband Armand; her honorary niece and nephews, Benjamin Alsup and wife Carrie, Maril Alsup and husband Joseph, and Coit Matthew Carson and wife Becky; her grandnieces and grandnephews, Meghan Rena Bresch, Antonio, Dante, and Talia Carlone, Daria, Gianna, and Nico DiMatteo; her honorary grandnieces and grandnephews, Evelyn and Joseph Alsup, Jane and Lydia Patt; her first cousins, Lorraine Legnani, Denise McNair, Sally Calcaterra, Donna Caruso, and John Revelli; her dearest friends, Deborah and Coit Thomas Carson, Kathy Creedon, Carolyn DiPippo, Margaret Church, and many more friends and loved ones. Rena was predeceased by her parents, as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins. A celebration of life for Rena will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, beginning with calling hours from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at St. Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant Street, West Hartford, Connecticut, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, 200 Whitman Avenue, West Hartford, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, please donate blood through the American Red Cross or make a gift to Blood Cancer United. Visit redcrossblood.org to find a donation site near you or bloodcancerunited.org to support research and patient care.

Rena J. Calcaterra

May 23, 1946 - January 24, 2026