Rena L. Gracin

Rena Lucinda (Aldrich) Gracin, 97, our beloved mother, passed away on February 24, 2023 at her home in Norwich.

She was born on August 12, 1925 on a farm in McDonough, NY to parents, Hazel Pike Aldrich and Spencer Aldrich. She graduated from Oxford Academy & Central School in 1942 at the age of sixteen. Rena was trained in nursing at the Binghamton City Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1945 to then start working at the hospital. While working, she qualified and became a member of the US World War II Cadet Nursing Corp in 1946 and worked at Rhoads General Hospital in Utica, NY and later a hospital in California.

Rena met and then later married Andrew “Andy” Gracin on May 2, 1947 at St. Mary’s Russian Orthodox Church in Binghamton. Their sons, Mark and Anthony “Tony”, were born while they lived in Binghamton. Then the family moved to Norwich in 1953 and purchased their home. She worked as a nurse at the Chenango Memorial Hospital and Andy worked as a plumber for Reynolds, Son and Allen. Their first daughter, Lynda, was born while she worked at the Norwich Pharmacal Company in the Mail Room and later promoted to the Quality Assurance Department. Upon the birth of their second daughter, Laurie, Rena stopped working to care for her family. When Andy started his own business called “Gracin Plumbing and Heating” she became the business manager with assistance from Laurie and Tony supported his father. Rena enjoyed their family vacations to Maine (York Beach & Ogunquit) and New Hampshire (Hampton Beach). Years later, they visited their daughter Lynda and her family in Cape May, NJ and Key West, FL. Their furthest venture was a trip to Spain and the Casbah of Algiers. Rena enjoyed visiting family, reading, watching PBS shows, word puzzles and poetry. She especially enjoyed her families gathering with Andy’s relatives for the annual celebration of Russian Easter and Christmas in Binghamton.

Rena was predeceased by her husband, Andrew on May 26, 2014; and siblings; Ray Aldrich (Lillian), Florence Aldrich Genung (Donald), Ruth Aldrich Mrosz (Samuel), Irma Aldrich Davis (Robert), Olive Aldrich Sturges (Lyle), Harry Aldrich (June) and Elmer Aldrich. She is survived by her four children; Mark Gracin (Deborah Coleman), of Norwich, Anthony Gracin (Judy), of McDonough, Lynda Gracin Haley (Steve), of Cape May, NJ, and Laurie Gracin, of Norwich; her sister, Eleanor Aldrich Mirabito (Albert); sister-in-law, Adelaide Aldrich; grandchildren, Jennifer Gracin (Patrick Hill), Rachel Gracin Hall (Brandon), Natalie Gracin, Devon Haley and Taylor Haley; and great grandchildren, Alicia, Spencer, Samuel, Dominic and Allen. On one of Rena’s last good days, she met her youngest great grandchild, 2 ½ year old Beatrice, which resulted in a connection like two old friends. Also, surviving are many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Chenango County Hospice for their compassionate care of Rena and her family, Jennifer Gracin for her relentless care of her grandmother in the last months of her life and of course her daughter, Laurie Gracin, who gave her mother extended years of her life with her loving care and companionship.

According to her wishes, there are no calling hours or funeral services. There will be a private interment service with VA presentation at the East Pharsalia Cemetery in the spring of 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chenango County Hospice, 33-39 Court Street, Norwich, NY 13815.