Rena Brigitte Brandorff

Rena Brigitte Brandorff, age 86, of Maitland, Florida passed away on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. Rena was born July 21, 1934 in Berlin, Germany and is the daughter of the late Helmut and Herta (Koch) Mueller. She is also preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, LCDR Paul A Brandorff. She lived a full and meaningful life. Her childhood was not easy, growing up in Berlin during the Nazi occupation. She endured air raids, food shortages, and countless other fears and struggles associated with living in a war zone. After the war, she worked as a fashion model in Berlin. It was at this time that she began corresponding with LCDR Brandorff, a pilot in the US Navy. They were married in 1954 to much fanfare and began the jet-setting life of a young Navy couple, living in such locations as Hawaii, Guam, California, and eventually settling in Florida. They had three children, Pamela, Barbara, and John. Paul and Rena were frequent travelers, and enjoyed ocean cruises and saltwater fishing. A passionate gardener, Rena was an active member of local gardening circles, including the Winter Park Garden Club. An avid participant in water aerobics for many years, Rena opened her membership at the Winter Park Ymca in 1989. She maintained her membership through her own health challenges and the challenges of COVID, adamant that she continue supporting an organization that meant so much to her. She supported the arts, and enjoyed attending plays at the Annie Russell Theatre, visiting the Tiffany Museum in Winter Park and watching independent films at the Enzian Theatre in Maitland, FL. She voted. Having lived in a war state under dictatorial rule, she understood the importance of democracy and preserving basic human rights. She was a skilled knitter. Even when injuries kept her from the pool and gardening, she dutifully knit away, making blankets to donate to local organizations; always eager to do what she could to provide comfort and warmth to those in need. Family meals at her house were memorable occasions. Food was one of her love languages, as anyone who knew her will attest. She enjoyed puzzles of all varieties. Family members and friends will recall that there was rarely a time Rena was not working a puzzle on her back porch. Additionally, each morning she looked forward to the delivery of the Orlando Sentinel; eager to complete the word puzzles printed in each edition. Many remember Rena for her sharp sense of humor. Her smile lit up a room, and its legacy will brighten our memories for years to come. She is survived by her brother, Rainer Mueller of Berlin, Germany; daughters, Pamela Anne Nofziger of Cocoa Beach, FL, and Barbara J. Brandorff of Auburndale, FL; son, John P. Brandorff of Jacksonville, FL; her nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and her niece and nephews in Germany and their families. Please join us in celebrating the life of a woman like no other.

In lieu of flowers, Rena's family asks that you honor her memory by making a donation to one of her favorite charities. These include Camp Boggy Creek and the Central Florida YMCA.

The family plans to host a celebration of Rena's life at a later time.

To share your memories of Rena or leave a special condolence message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.