Rena S. (Grossman) Miller

WORCESTER – Rena S. (Grossman) Miller, Ph.D., age 82, passed away peacefully on Jan 6, 2026, at Knollwood Nursing Center in Worcester after a prolonged illness.

Rena was born on Feb 6, 1943, in Chelsea, MA. She graduated Girls Latin School in Boston, then went on to earn an undergraduate degree from Radcliffe College in 1964 and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from NYU in 1976. In 1973, she and her family settled in Worcester.

In her younger years she was an avid cellist and member of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra.  She continued to enjoy listening to classical music throughout her life. Her other interests included gardening, needlepoint, and listening to Red Sox radio broadcasts. She regularly attended services at Congregation Beth Israel.

Rena's career included nearly a decade as staff psychologist for Head Start, teaching child development at Quinsigamond Community College, serving as a CASA volunteer, and teaching Latin at Abby Kelley Foster charter school.

In parallel, she supported her children and their interests, driving them to after-school activities all over town. She was immensely proud of her family’s accomplishments. She would always have a twinkle in her eye as she watched their choral performances and staged shows or as she listened to recaps of recent math and chess competitions.

Rena is survived by her husband, Daniel, of nearly 60 years; her three sons, Aaron (Melissa), David (Ruth), and Jonathan (Jennifer); and eight grandchildren: Shoshana (Jacob), Sarah, Micah, Dalia, Ilana, Miriam, Rachel, and Naomi. She was predeceased by her parents, Harry and Natalie (Josephs) Grossman, and by her sister Norma (Grossman) Reine.

Family and friends will gather to honor Rena’s memory at a Funeral Service at 12:00 noon on Friday, January 9th, 2026, at Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester. Interment will follow at B’nai Brith Cemetery, 55 St. John’s Road, Worcester. Arrangements are in the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden. Memorial Observance will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to a charity of the donor's choice.