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Rita Creighton Obituary
Rita died in Sweden of head injuries from a motorcycle accident while driving to a Women's International Motorcycle Association rally in the Netherlands. Her death followed 35 joyous years of accident-free motorcycle driving.
Born and raised in Warwick, RI, Rita lived in New Hampshire and San Francisco (1976-1981), prior to settling in Sweden. A born rebel who forever challenged the status quo, she became increasingly politically focused. Her activism began with an early involvement in the Women's movement in Hanover, NH, and continued with the Gay Pride movement in San Francisco. There she co-coordinated the Dykes on Bikes in 1977-80 and was active in the campaigns against the Briggs Amendment and the Anita Bryant crusade. Rita was also active in NOW and local socialist politics and, as an engineer for the Southern Pacific Railroad, the Coalition of Women Railworkers. In San Francisco she was often seen riding her motorcycle with her beloved dog riding on the back.
In Sweden Rita was an icon in the feminist, GLBT, and antiracism movements. She led the first Swedish Our Bodies Our Selves group in 1973, produced Holly Near's first Swedish concert in 1982, and worked on behalf of under- and unemployed women. She was a founder of the Swedish 'Lesbian Feminists' in 1973, and in the 2006 election worked to bring a new party, 'Feministiskt Initiativ,' into parliament. Rita was involved in several GLBT media activities and had a radio program 'Leaping Lesbians' in which she interviewed commentators on arts, politics, and current events. She also found time to sit on the board of multiple national gay organizations (e.g., RFSL). Rita's ability to bring people together helped both to form and to further the goals of the Swedish GLBT community.
Outside her public life, Rita was passionate about motorcycle touring, sailing and tending her garden.
Rita was a force of change in a recalcitrant culture, agitating Swedish society by pushing the envelope. She had a 'can-do' attitude, vivacity, and generosity of spirit. She was a larger-than-life figure leaving a void behind in Sweden, the US, and elsewhere. A memorial service is planned in Stockholm September 21. Please sign the guestbook at projo.com. For more information write Petralil at yahoo.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Rita Creighton
Helene Delilah
August 10, 2022
oh my... 15 years has passed since your passing Rita. May you ride free over there!
Rita Koopmanschap
September 25, 2007
´WIMA Legend´
We all experience the horsepower of our machines,
and exhilerate with swiftness on two wheels in traffic.
And after some smooth moves or acceleration,
we tell ourselves ´that was close´ and
promise ourselves to take it easier from now on...
We all have friends or family that got into accidents,
and got hurt or even died, maybe not even their fault,
making us more aware of the transitoriness of life.
Circumstances like the weather could bring risks and
our own fear for accidents in traffic can make us ride for the worse...
The brightest of summerdays and the most talented driver,
the sweetest, funniest or most admirable person
never prevented fate from taking away
in the least expected moment – our loved one
It´s nothing like fair play but confronts us
with the shortness and relativity of life, love and luck
Rita Creighton was a person everyone knew, remembered and loved
because once spoken to, listened to her beautiful voice
or shared but a moment in her vicinity:
This wonderful, exhilerating, warm and lively person
is one never to forget – impossible to forget: Rita Creighton, a legend !
R.I.P.
former International President of WIMA, 26 July 2007
Tyne Henney
September 13, 2007
Rita was a much loved member of WIMA GB (Women's International Motorcycle Association, GB Division) and on behalf of all our members in the UK I have to say how shocked and saddened we were to discover the tragic news of Rita's accident. She had been on her way to Germany to attend the WIMA International Rally - sadly never to be. We remember Rita for her warmth, her humour and her personality - she meant lots of things to lots of people - and will be very sadly missed and certainly never forgotten. - Tyne Henney, President, WIMA GB.
September 12, 2007
A woman who touched lives across oceans, a fighter for women's and lesbian's visibility, acceptance,rights and respect. You will be missed!
Lila Kahn- Mullins
September 10, 2007
I turned on the TV last night, and Judy Collins was singing "Both Sides Now", the first song
Rita ever taught to me. My guitar skills were nothing like Rita's, but she happily spent time, and had deep pockets of patience with me.
Rita had a profound effect on everyone she met. She brought out the best in people. It seemed a joy for her to make us laugh and sing and forget what was bothering us.
When a memory of Rita is spoken, a smile will always be on my face, and a song will always be in my heart.
Anne Davies
September 9, 2007
Rita Creighton - what a joy to read about her life. What a shock to read about her death. I lost track of her long ago, but stories swirled and her legend lives. I share the loss with her family, friends and fans.
Rita was unique. It was a privilage to know her (and a blast).
Thanks to Petra for the enlightenment.
Freda -"Phred" - Lehrer
September 6, 2007
When I think about Rita, I hear music.
Whether on our numerous camping weekends with Ship 28 (our Mariner Girl Scout troop) or at Camp Hoffman in the summer, the evening air was always filled with the sound of guitars and beautiful harmonies. Rita introduced us to the music of Buffy Sainte Marie and the plight of the Indians. Rita sang Piney Wood Hills, My Country Tis of Thy People You're Dying, Now That the Buffalo's Gone and others with deep conviction and intense passion.
When Buffy Sainte Marie came to URI in November, 2006, Marge, Susi, Beth, Linda, and I were in the audience. We spoke about Rita and all wished that she could have been there with us to share that wonderful evening.The Camp Hoffman memories flowed that night.
"All things shall perish from under the sky. Music alone shall live. Music alone shall live. Music alone shall live. Never to die."
Rita, your music lives on in all of us.You and your music will never be forgotten. Thank you for the memories. You were a very special person whom I shall never, never forget.
Maureen Crimmins
September 6, 2007
Reet, I remember you most vividly as a sixteen year old with braids, accompanying yourself on guitar while singing immortal Buffy, Joni, and Judy tunes. I've been replaying that beautiful voice in my mind for the past thirty-nine years.
In September, 1968, we hitchhiked from Providence to Provincetown. Fearlessly, you staked out a spot just beyond the Inn. All was well until dawn, when an incoming tide jolted us awake. Later, you half- persuaded an unsuspecting older resident of P'town that she had been one of you mom's good friends at some long-ago worksite. Per usual, I was in awe of your resourcefulness.
During the early seventies, I trekked to "the Exit" on Thayer Street, where you sometimes performed. Listening to you in my living room was more fun, since Girl Scout songs were always part of the repertoire. I was also
permitted to join the chorus...
After visiting you in Vermont, we lost contact for several years. Imagine my delight to find you among 100,000 people in the 1979 March on Washington. Later that year, I discovered a photograph taken of you that day in a Boston art gallery. It has graced my walls ever since that time.
In your last e-mail, you described feeling homesick for Rhode Island.
How I wish I could have visited with you one more time! Such was not to be.
It is comforting to share feelings of sorrow about your death with both strangers and long-lost camp friends. You lit a bright pathway for all of us to follow in our own fashion. May your music and laughter continue to reverberate throughout our lives.
Kathleen Tulloh and family
September 5, 2007
I first met Rainy in 1971 after she moved to the Hanover, NH area - a young woman looking for her place in the world. It is so terribly sad to realize that this exuberant free spirit is no longer with us.
Rainy - I missed you when you moved to Sweden but I am so glad that you were happy and successful in your life there.
My family's memories of you will stay with us forever - thank you for being part of our lives.
Lesley & Cally
September 5, 2007
We met Rita through the Women's International Motorcycle Association so many years ago, I can't remember where. But I do remember the belly-dancing, the laughs, the unerring good humour, the reliable consistency of her turning up on her beloved motrocycle ... and now, a realisation that I never really appreciated how extraordinary she was. Thank you Rita, for fighting the GLB cause, for being friends with us, and for sharing your wonderful company with us on so many occasions. Thank you for the delight you took, with Yvonne, in spending time with our young daughter Molly ... you made an impression on her that I hope she never forgets; we miss you, and will always remember you.
kerstin masell
September 5, 2007
some friends lost a good friend...myself, i only know her from one week of motorbiking in switzerland. never forget her....
Tina Schnabelmaier
September 5, 2007
Rita, I miss you! - What more can I say? I thank fate that I had the chance to meet you 11 years ago on my first WIMA meeting. I am grateful that I became a friend of yours. Though far away from you here in Germany I always felt so close, and I still do feel. You are one of the most important women in my life. For ever you will live in my heart.
Margery - "Rusty" LeBeau
September 4, 2007
The tapestry of our interconnected lives continues beyond the initial weaving. Each of us has suffered a heartbreaking loss with Rita's passing. The Camp Hoffman days live strongly within the hearts of those who met there and the friendships formed were and are lifelong. Rita was a unique and gifted youth and a talented and significant woman in life. Although years have passed since I have seen Rita her voice, her smile and her memory will remain forever within my heart. Petra may you find peace in the fact that so many of us are sharing your sorrow. Rita will remain forever young and forever within the hearts each of us...and we will all walk together again someday.
Kerry McKeever
September 3, 2007
I am heartbroken. I have not seen Rita in many years, and we were not close at Camp Hoffman, but I doubt that anyone who met her would not remember her. Rita CHANGED the people she met. Her personality was complex, and she had depths that were difficult to get at, despite her gragarious, mercurial personality. I admired her audaciousness, her total commmitment to her feliefs, her tenaciousness for life and for the good. She had the deepest compassion for people, but she did not suffer either fools nor those who did not have compassionate hearts.
I have absolutely no idea why I decided to google Rita's name this evening, perhaps nostalgia hit me because I am visiting Rhode Island. I always expected that Rita would do great things; I did not expect that I would hear about them in Petra's beautiful obituary. I offer my heartfelt condolences to all of you. Such a loss, such a loss.
Connie Fitzgerald
September 3, 2007
One of my first true friends ... hard to believe that it was 40 years ago this summer that I met Rita, at Camp Hoffman. She had such a gift ... she could light up a room, fill it with laughter, and then turn us all to tears. I don't know if others who met her later knew of her skill with picking up cans and cereal boxes and such, and she would SING (and of course, play the guitar) all the directions and ingredients and make it a song. You can imagine how the room erupted one time, when someone handed her a tampax box ... "like everything you learn to do, from putting on make-up to driving a car ..." she made it melodious ... so much so that I remember the words today!
I feel lucky to have been there when she met Petra ... and I offer you, Petra, my sympathies.
I recall when all of us went off to college, Rita went off too ... she visited everyone she knew in college and stayed at each place for a week or so, and moved on. There were times, during those days so many years ago, when I felt that Rita was truly a lost soul. It is heart-warming to know, from reading what everyone has written, that she found her path, walked tall, and made a difference.
Gail McAteer (Cormier)
September 3, 2007
Reet ~ I heard today of your latest adventure. Figures you'd beat everybody there. Even in Pilgrim HS 1965 - 1969 you were ahead of the crowd. You was the first person I knew to Recycle. We used to ride around in your Jeep and collect newspapers and drive them out to Newport to recycle them. In your Senior school picture you waved! No one waved in their HS pictures in 1969! You always had a guitar and would break out into a Folk song at a stop light. Singing sweet and high.
After HS our lives took us on parting paths. I came to visit you in NH in 1972 and you was politically active then working in a daycare that served vegatarian and whole foods. How progressive. I visited you on a lake again that year, it's been awhile and I couldn't tell you where, somewhere in Northern New England. I was running away from my crazy life and needed some neutral ground for a few days. We sat up and talked all night. You talked about Petra so much I felt I knew her. 1974 you rode your motorcycle down to Key West to visit.
You moved out West after that. Few post cards. Lost touch. Just in the last year we reconnected again. I think I owed you an email. So if you can read this Reet your free spirit and honesty was always something I admired and will remember about you. You lived real and always knew where it was at. You was one courageous woman and it is an honor to have called you friend. Rock on sister. See you on the other side. Much love,
Vick Germany
September 3, 2007
My name is Vick Germany and I am the current president of the San Francisco Dykes on Bikes Women's Motorcycle Contingent. I am very sorry to hear that Rita (Rainy) died of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. It is always hard news to hear when a fellow biker goes down and does not survive. It feels like a piece of me goes with them. My condolences to Rita's family and friends.
I was not involved with the Dykes on Bikes during Rita's tenure and did not know Rita, but I hope that I carry on the spirit of her work. I am forever in debt to the women, such as Rita, who started Dykes on Bikes.
Sailing on the San Francisco Bay 1979
Cindy Beckwith
August 31, 2007
First off I want to express my gratitude to Petra for the obituary she wrote and for her research and powerful description of Rita's persona.
I met "Rainy" in 1978. We both worked on the Southern Pacific Railroad. Right from the start I was attracted to her bold, out-n-proud attitude. In a workplace that was totally dominated by good ol' boys, I admired her bravery, her unwavering resolve to live on her own terms. She helped give me and many other women the courage to change our lives and not tolerate a second-class status.
We stayed in touch over the years and I am SO GLAD to have had her in my life. I respect and admire the person she was, a woman with grit and character who accepted no boundaries. Most of all, I loved her enthusiasm, the joy she took in the world around her , the way she reminded the rest of us to let go of our histories and seize the day.
Several years ago I had a party in Rita's honor and my local friends met her. Rita made a huge impression. They told me she seemed like someone important; she looked at you and listened and made you feel important too. We all loved her laugh and the way she lit up the room.
I will deeply miss you, Rita, and I will always feel your presence.
Please enjoy this phenomenal photo of Rita in '79. It captures her love of life!!
Mary E. Hunt
August 30, 2007
May Rainy rest in the peace she worked for around the world. I knew her through her friend Petra Liljestrand; I saw her both in the Bay Area and in Sweden. May her memory be a blessing to friends and family.
Deb Merithew
August 30, 2007
We are saddened to hear of Rita's death. Both of us knew Rita from many years ago. There are memories of Camp Hoffman, life guard classes, days at Pilgrim, coffee houses and CYO! What a life she lead helping so many along the way. Our sympathies to all of her very large family - we all loved her!
Deb Merithew (Skorupa)
Lynn Harrington (Curran)
Rita in Stockholm at Stadshuset
August 29, 2007
Diana (Dee) Oswald
August 29, 2007
I am saddened by Rainy's passing. I knew her in SF from NOW and other political/trade union activities and fighting Briggs and Bryant. She was a person who tried to make a difference in the world--and she did.
Judy DuFault (Frattaruolo)
August 28, 2007
I am another high school buddy of Ritas, who also shared girl scout memories with her. We used to practice playing the guitar together. I remember all the friends Rita had at Pilgrim and by reading the notable obituary, written obvioulsy by someone who knew her so well, she must have continued making friends where ever she lived. We lost touch after high school but I am sure she remembered me along with every one else she met in her very full life. She was a hilarious, warm, talented person in high school, so I remember her 40 years later. My heartfelt sympathies to her friends, I'm sure she already has a following where ever she has riden to...
Merelise O'Connor
August 27, 2007
Rita and I were fast friends since we were 14 or 15 years old. We met at a Camp Hoffman reunion sleep over (at Steph Whipple's) and then were sailing buddies and counselors in training together. What a spirit! We always laughed and laughed. She gave us such joy in singing in those adolescent years. She was truly one of a kind. We have remained friends all these years sharing joy and sorrow. My siblings and Mom are feeling her loss because they loved her too. Her only US belongings are in my barn. I last saw Rita in Stockholm in 2000. The tall ships were in the harbor so we were in our glory! Even though she was in Sweden, I really never felt as though she was far away. I was at Camp Hoffman the day after she died, not yet aware of her death, telling my sister stories of Rita at camp. I will miss her, her humor, her postcards from motorcycle trips, her voice, all my days. She was my sister.
Michael (Mikal) Shively
August 27, 2007
I knew Rita as "Rainy," primarily during the San Francisco (1976-1981) years. I met Rainy through my friend Petra. I agree, Rainy was a force of nature, larger-than-life figure, and is profoundly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Michael G. Shively
August 27, 2007
Thank you, Rita, for a life that touched others with empowerment and laughter. May we all learn by your example.
Carolyn Sears
August 26, 2007
Well Rita, after so many years... Going back to Camp Hoffman and Girl Scouting... I'm sorry you are gone but I am glad you were doing one of the things you loved... A free spirit if ever I knew one. I hope the next life is just as interesting for you.
Moira Sullivan
August 26, 2007
I have had the privilege of knowing Rita since the 70's in Sweden. I am really going to miss her. Its hard to believe that someone that made such a difference to this small yet progressive and precious country is gone. Rita also worked on the Roslagsbana, (commuter train) in Stockholm, and was a Rosen therapist. She was so helpful in helping me with my studies when I went to Boston, and offered her home to me when I returned to defend my thesis. She visited me in Boston, the first time she was in the USA in a long time. I esteem her as one of the friends I had had for so many years, which is truly rare.Rita constantly evolved and changed with the times, the lives she has touched are in the hundreds, all over the world.
Rita, in earth years it may be quite a while but in heaven, I am moments behind you.Goddess bless you Rita.
Mel Curran
August 26, 2007
Thank you Rainy and the friend who had her back in honoring her.
Lynn (Garland) Quillen
August 26, 2007
I read with sadness and awe of the passing of Rita and of her incredible accomplishments. I went to high school with Rita, and though I didn't know her well, she displayed the enthusiasm and exuberance that obviously remained with her throughout her life. My heartfelt sympathies to her family and friends - she was an amazing woman and certainly left a legacy to be proud of.
August 26, 2007
I didn't kow of this Woman until I read of her Death, but i feel that the person that rote her Obituary Loved and respecter this woman and I feel your love and your loss.......
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