Many have heard the news through Facebook, but not all, so with Bill Day’s permission, I'm posting the sad news that Rita Ferrara (Ferrara on Mudcat), a longtime stalwart of the Folklore Society of Greater Washington, died last week. Many on Mudcat know her as one of the Program Committee members for the Getaway, or perhaps you know her by her art or her voice. Here’s my remembrance:

I’ve known Rita Ferrara pretty much all my life. She was the magical voice singing an old ballad, accompanied on the MacArthur harp, or sometimes (when we were very lucky) a song from her Italian background. She was a thinker, organizer, and constant presence - at open sings, at festivals, at gatherings in my home or hers - always with Bill Day at her side.

As I grew up I came to see just how much beyond her voice and talent made Rita remarkable. For one thing she spoke with children and teenagers like they were people - a rare and precious gift. I can’t think of one time in all the years I knew her that she ever talked down to anyone. She had a way of offering real care and support to the people around her without intruding or becoming overbearing. There was no artifice to her - just genuine kindness and thoughtfulness.

Rita was so sensitive and emotionally grounded that I doubt “tough” would be the first word to come to many people’s minds, but she was that too. For one thing, anyone who makes a living through art has to be pretty tough. It's more than that, though - she went through incredible hardship, physically and emotionally, and each time came out stronger, more thoughtful, and more attuned to herself and others. She wasn’t afraid to be open about whatever she was going through, but she also listened to the people she spoke with, taking their words to heart. When she shared her struggles with you, she could make you feel like the conversation made a real difference.

It is my belief that as we live, we give part of ourselves to the people around us - the people we have loved and cared for. Those parts of who we are live on long past our lifetimes, and are given in turn to others. I know that Rita’s gifts remain with me, and I fervently believe the goodness and beauty she brought to the world will live long past her years with us.

My love goes out to Bill, Darriel and Jocelyn - as I write that it feels so odd, because my fingers automatically began typing “Bill and Rita.” It was always “Bill and Rita.” And I guess it still is, in a sense. Rita will always be part of us.

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Rita's posts.

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