Rena C. Griebsch, age 95, of Gouverneur, passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 under the loving care of her family and Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley.
Calling hours will be held at French Funeral Home on Sunday, March 23, 2025 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Her funeral Mass will be held at St. James Catholic Church on Monday, March 24th at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at a later date.
Rena was born on April 22, 1929 in Gouverneur to the late Joseph and Clara (DeCastro) Pistolesi. She attended Gouverneur Central School and married Ernest H. Griebsch on October 24, 1954 at St. James Church with Rev. Msr. James Lyng officiating. Mr. Griebsch passed away on November 10, 2015.
Rena began working as a young girl for her father at Pistolesi’s Dry Cleaning in Gouverneur before becoming a waitress at the Clearview Restaurant. Her friendly smile and gift of gab made her a valuable asset there. She retired in 1985.
Rena always put family first in her life. She loved time spent with her family and adored her nieces and nephews. Even people she wasn’t related to would call her “Aunt Rena”. She enjoyed socializing with family and friends and loved Gouverneur, having lived there all of her life. The people in her community cherished her. Rena enjoyed spending time at the cottage on Sylvia Lake and was a member of St. James Church, the Elks Lodge and VFW.
Her survivors include her son, Karl Griebsch of Pompano Beach, Fl; daughters, Marisa Griebsch and her husband, Kurt Wells of Gouverneur and Lenore Heitz and her husband, William of Boynton Beach, FL; grandchildren, Shae and Spencer Heitz and a step granddaughter, Whitnee Miner and her children; and her many beloved nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, husband and infant daughter Martha, Rena is predeceased by her siblings, Mario Pistolesi, Lesa Rotundo, Eda Sleeman, Mary Curcio and Gilda Calvani.
Donations in memory of Rena may be made to St. James Church or the St. James Catholic School, the Gouverneur Volunteer Fire Dept and Gouverneur Volunteer Rescue Squad. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.