Rena Lafky passed away peacefully after a long and interesting life on June 13, 2025.  She was born in Salem, Oregon on March 16, 1928 to George and Rena Skaggs.  She graduated from Salem Highschool and went on the graduate from Oregon State University with a Home Economics degree.

She was an adventurer and keen observer of diverse cultures, traveling all across the globe, from Antarctica to a trek in the far North of Canada to see the Northern Lights, from Tasmania to Patagonia to Norway and Finland, and many more. She was one of the first few who traveled to the USSR, Antarctica, Cuba, Iran, Jordan, Syria and China in the early years of allowing tourism.  She made friends worldwide, observing daily life through her journals.  She traveled diversely, always observing along the journey in hostels, hotels and tours.

She was happily married to Ray Lafky, who preceded her in death in 1972.  Both her sons, Jay and Stephen Clark also preceded her in death.

She is survived by her grandchildren Sara Clark and Dan Clark, as well as her daughter in law, Eileen Clark.

She was an avid life-long reader of books, and member of Salen Public Library for many years.  Donations may be made in her memory to the Salem Friends of the Library.