Gretchen Kamena

CLOSTER - Gretchen Kamena, our beloved sister and friend to many, peacefully passed away on March 23, 2024 at her Spectrum for Living home in Closter, NJ. Gretchen entered this world on December 27, 1941, the first of five children of Bill and Rena Kamena. She was born with cerebral palsy, a life-long condition affecting her speech and motor control yet greeted each day with an ever present smile, a can-do attitude, and an appreciation for family and friends. At age 42, Gretchen was one of the original 7 residents to be admitted to the ICF of Spectrum for Living on November 27, 1983.

Gretchen was raised in Teaneck, NJ, educated at our neighborhood Emerson grammar school through 6th grade then graduated from the Abeel school in Hackensack. She was a lifelong learner, loved the outdoors and for many years enjoyed horseback riding. She read the newspaper daily and maintained a diary writing or typing about her interests, our family, and the family adventures around the US and abroad. From an early age, Gretchen regularly attended the Teaneck Community Reformed Church.

For over twenty years, Gretchen attended the Hackensack Craft Unit sponsored by the Cerebral Palsy Center and learned skills for a lifetime of weaving and needlework. It is at the Craft Center, in the early 1970’s, that the founding parents of Spectrum for Living met and talked about their concerns for their children who were then young adults. Where will they live when the parents pass on? These cofounders of Spectrum worked tirelessly to develop a program that met not only basic needs of physical care but also of emotional warmth, continued education, friendships and more. As Spectrum newsletter editor our mother wrote in 1984 “33 young men and women changed their addresses and moved into their new home. Staff people are enhancers, not just caretakers.” This organization has grown to truly reflect their mission to be one of New Jersey’s most respected and recognized non -profit organizations: assisting adults with developmental disabilities through an ongoing commitment to comprehensive quality services, advocacy, and family partnership. Gretchen, after her last hospitalization, returned to her home of over 40 years with hospice care.

The Spectrum family of residents and employees were instrumental in helping Gretchen for 40 + years to maintain a rich, rewarding, long life filled with joy and compassion for others. She lived at the Closter Intermediate Care facility and for many years the apartment complex in RiverVale. Today, Spectrum is so much more than our parents could have imagined back in the 1970 ‘s.

Gretchen was predeceased by her parents, many of her friends at Spectrum, and is survived by brothers Karl (Linda), Jack (Dee), Jim and sister Christine (Jim) and beloved nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Spectrum for Living in April. in lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Gretchen’s name to www. Spectrumforliving.org