— from Catherine Pederson —
Do you remember Dee Dee Rainbow? A woman who showed up in Eastsound often during the 70’s 80’s and maybe later – sashaying down Main Street -dressed in flamboyant “clothes of many colors,” make-up to match and a big smile.
She loved being a sensation. I was always fascinated by her and loved to visit with her although I can’t remember what our conversations were about.
I also saw her a few times by chance along the street in Seattle and she was always happy to stop and visit about Orcas Island.
A celebration of Ms. Rainbow’s life, including a New Orleans-style funeral march, is scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 4 at University Unitarian Church, 6556 35th Ave. N.E., Seattle
from the SeattleTimes. com
by Paul de Barros
Dee Dee Rainbow, known for her multicolored parasol and wand, eye-glitter and exuberant good cheer at jazz and other outdoor arts events, died Tuesday. She was 81. The cause was heart disease.
Ms. Rainbow — that was her legal last name, changed from Raible in the ’70s — died peacefully, waiting for a guest at the North Seattle senior group home where she had lived the past five years.
“It seemed out of character for mom to go with nobody in the room,” said her daughter, Deborah Raible. “Generally, she would have been surrounded by an entourage.”
To read the full article, go to https://seattletimes.com/localnews/rainbowobit
Met her several times in Seattle. She’d light up a room (if you could ever get her indoors). A delightful woman who brought a lot of joy into people’s lives.
I have been going to the Monterey Jazz Festival for over 40 years (really!) and she was a marvelous fixture there until the past several years when her health was failing. She had a huge entourage and was loved by fans and artists alike. I was just wondering how she was, after not seeing her this past September, when I heard of her passing. She was a school teacher – how many of us had such a cool teacher? Not many! RIP
Just seeing her name made me smile. I so enjoyed the visits we used to have. Just seeing her walk down the street, all that color, a true rainbow – one to remember.