HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. Renata Cirri, 57, formerly of Orono, passed away on June 13, 2004, after an abrupt onset of lung cancer. She was born Nov. 28, 1946, in Lynwood, Calif., the only child of Hugo and Irma Cirri. Renata had a deep dedication to creating a safe space for others to understand and care for themselves. She managed to find a kernel of lightness in difficult situations, even as she was sensitively engaged in her work with victims of violence. That work, which spanned most of her professional career included rape crisis programs, victim advocate office in Maine Superior Court, national organization for victim advocates, and statewide organizing of rape response programs in Nevada while director of the Community Action Against Rape organization in Las Vegas, Nev. Beyond these “real” jobs (as Renata would call them) she was chef/chief cook on a teaching sailing ship, assisted a local caterer, a delegate for People to People International to Poland, Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia. Renata lived her years through high school in Lynwood, Calif., moving to Maine in the late 1960s. She graduated with a BA in sociology from the University of Maine in the mid-1970s. Although she loved living in Maine, the opportunity to work with a national victim rights organization took her to Washington, D.C., in 1984. A few years later she moved to Nevada where her subsequent immersion in rape response programs led to her receiving the Woman of Achievement award for her outstanding work in this field. Her dedication to assisting her aging parents motivated her move back to Orange County, Calif., about three years ago. Renata took great joy in life, and spread that joy and laughter to everyone with whom she came in contact. She was a deeply caring person who was always ready to be there for others. During her years in Orono, her home was a haven for many, the frequent gathering place for a wide and disparate variety of friends and acquaintances. From those involved in the local legal and law enforcement systems to members of the counter-culture, Renata managed to connect to, and bring understanding to their lives. She will be sorely missed. There will be a celebration of her life at 2 p.m. July 18, 2004, at the home of Jim Gallagher and Kathie Gaianguest, 31 Sunrise Terrace, Orono. People are invited to bring words to share.
RENATA CIRRI
