Rena Carmel

Rena Carmel (Karel) died peacefully at her home in Newton Highlands on March 12, 2025. Rena was born in Poland and survived the Holocaust with her older brother and parents. After the war, she spent several years in a displaced persons (DP) camp in Germany, then made a new life for herself in Boston. Though briefly married, Rena left her husband, raised her daughter on her own, cared for her mother for many years, worked extremely hard throughout her career, and retired at the top of her profession. She was a good daughter and sister, beloved mother, grandmother, and aunt, a respected colleague and manager, and a true friend. Rena enjoyed many happy years after her retirement from Boston City Hospital in the company of her family and friends. Rena’s intelligence, pragmatism, integrity, kindness, sense of humor, and love will be greatly missed. She is survived by her daughter Julia Carmel, grandson David Carmel, nieces Karen Karel and Debra Nardone, and nephew Steven Karel. Rena was predeceased by her parents David and Cila Karel, her brother Marcus Karel, sister-in-law Carolyn Karel, and niece Linda Karel. Donations in Rena’s memory may be made to the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) or Planned Parenthood.