Rena (Pritsker) Button

Rena P. Button, 97, formerly of Delmar, NY  passed away on November 18, 2022, in Cambridge, MA. A native of Providence, RI, Rena dedicated her life to improving social services and youth programs in the Albany, NY, area, where she lived for more than 60 years.

Rena was active in local and national politics, and served on boards of many local organizations including Senior Service Centers of Albany, Independent Living in the Capital District, WMHT, and the Bethlehem Public Library. Earlier in her career, she held leadership positions in New York City with the United Jewish Appeal and the National Council of Jewish Women. At a time when many of her friends were retiring, Rena was constantly on the go. In 1996, she ran as the Democratic candidate for New York State Assembly in the 102nd district. In 1997, Rena co-founded Two Together, an after-school reading program for children in Albany’s South End. She served as the organization’s first president and was a longtime board member, active volunteer, and cheerleader until she moved from Delmar to Cambridge to be closer to her family in 2015. Throughout her life, Rena was an avid tennis player, skier, and gardener. She especially loved swimming in the ocean in Nantucket and was devoted to her family and her dogs.

A graduate of Simmons College in Boston, Rena attended Brown University (Pembroke College) and Albany Law School. She was predeceased by her sister, Hinda Pritsker Semonoff, and her husband, Daniel E. Button. She is survived by three sons: Josh Posner (Eileen Rudden) of Cambridge, MA, Bruce Posner (Betsy Rudnick) of Cambridge, MA, and David Posner (Helen Buchsbaum) of Brooklyn, NY; four stepchildren: Nancy Nathan (David) of Bethesda, MD, Sarah White (Peter) of Williamstown, MA, Daniel Button Jr. of Bushnell, FL, and Mary Hopkins (Mark) of Newark, DE; 15 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren

Interment was private

. Donations in her memory may be made to Two Together Inc., PO Box 1397, Albany, NY 12201; Senior Service Centers of Albany Inc., 28 Colvin Ave., Suite 2, Albany, NY 12206; and Neville Communities Inc., 650 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138.

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