Unitarian Universalists around the PNWD mourn with the Raible family at the passing of Seattle’s own Rainbow Lady. Dee Dee Rainbow brought joy, creativity and lots of COLOR to the lives of many, as a teacher, artist, lover of music and all the arts, avid UU and memorable presence.
Dee Dee Rainbow
Sept 3, 1932 – Nov 12, 2013
From the Seattle Times obituary: “Dee Dee Rainbow was her chosen name and she lived up to it everyday – never seen without her brightly hued attire and accoutrements, and the abundant glitter that always transferred to recipients of her frequent hugs. She brought her unique brand of joy and exuberance to everyone she met.”
Dee Dee graduated from Seattle’s Roosevelt High School in 1950 and married shortly after. She attended the Rhode Island School of Design and received her BFA in Education at the University of Nebraska. Returning to Seattle in 1961, where her husband was called to the ministry of University Unitarian Church, Dee Dee taught art at Meany Middle School for 29 years, and was well known not only for her multi-hued appearance but also as a talented ceramicist, wedding officiant and legendary jazz aficionado.
Dee Dee was preceded in death by her ex-husband the Rev. Dr. Peter Spilman Raible in 2004, and by daughter Robin in 2006. Dee Dee’s bright spirit lives on in her children Stephen, Robert, the Rev. Deborah Raible and their spouses, as well as in her eight grandchildren, extended family, and a very wide circle of loving friends.