Rene Livingston-DeTienne

On my last day walking this miniscule planet, I, too, will throw my cells sunward, expanding with gaseous heat, contracting like dew to land among the clouds.

-R.B. Simon

On January 8, 2025, we lost our cherished Rene. To know Rene was, well, to truly know Rene. She wore her heart on her sleeve.

Rene was born in Rockford Illinois and raised in Beloit Wisconsin. She attended Beloit College for a year, and then moved to Madison, where she spent the rest of her life.

She was authentic, truthful, passionate, loyal, and determined to see the world become a better place. Her ability to show compassion for and connect with others through her lived experience was profound. She was wise, knew how to listen with her heart, and felt deeply. Her connection to the Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ, chronically ill, and disabled communities allowed her to touch so many lives.

She described herself as on a wellness journey, and believed in meeting people where they were and reminding them that they get to define their own story and identity.

Rene was a force to be reckoned with and fought hard over the past few years to break stigma through liberatory harm reduction practices for people who used/use drugs and alcohol. She helped start Dane County's first non-profit harm reduction psychotherapy practice, CAYA Clinic, where she was previously employed and planned to return in the near future. She knew this evidence-based approach saves lives. She previously worked as a peer support specialist and trainer, empowering people to find and follow their own chosen paths with dignity and without judgment. She served on countless working groups and was a major contributor to the Dane County Opioid Settlement Committee. She was also proud to be a Managing Editor at Harbor Editions.

Through art, both poetry and visual mediums, Rene was able to find healing. This dedication to her creativity played a fundamental role in her journey. Her visual artwork depicted her raw humanness. Known in the poetry world as R.B. Simon, she was an award-winning poet (or as her biggest fan Dannee described her, a "famous poet"). Her collections focus on the realities of substance use, growing up as a mixed-race, queer, fat, disabled woman, and the power of giving voice to the voiceless. Her first poetry book, The Good Truth, was published in 2021, followed by Not Just the Fire in 2023. She received the final edits for her newest book Bird, Bone, Blood just days before her passing. This final collection of poems is set to be published later this year. Rene often stated the best thing she could leave her children, and the world, was her poetry.

Rene always dreamed of finishing her bachelor's degree. After many stints of schooling, at age 52, she proudly graduated Summa Cum Laude from Edgewood College with a B.S. in Art Therapy and a Psychology Minor.

The most important thing in Rene's life were her two daughters, Noelle and Emerson (Emmy), who just turned 23 and 2 respectively, her spouse Dannee, and her chosen family. Rene was incredibly proud to watch Noelle grow into an incredible human. She then became a mother again at the age of 52, something she never dreamed possible. Her love for her girls was bigger than the universe. She married the love of her life, Dannee, on July 31st, 2021, and described that day and the honeymoon to follow as some of the best days of her life.

In true Rene form, she was eager for all the things she had in store for 2025. Though she is not physically here with us, we know that her spirit and legacy will continue to work through others.

Rene's family knew she was a busy woman. Her daughter Noelle described her as a "local celebrity " because of the number of lives she touched and communities she was a part of. Upon hearing all of the memories of Rene shared by friends and community members thus far, we realize we never even fully understood the depth of Rene's impact on this world. She was modest and loyal and kept other's stories close to her heart. We would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of love, kindness, compassion, and privacy as we collectively grieve.

Rene is survived by her daughters Noelle Livingston and Emerson Livingston-DeTienne, spouse Dannee Livingston-De Tienne, chosen family of many years; Stephanie Thurow, Chris Stark, Emily Hamm, Paula Falk, Greg Dorsey, Kim Kesselhon, and many friends and connections through her work, wellness groups, advocacy, and arts communities. She is preceded in death by her mother Sue Paukert, and children lost to miscarriage, Jet Elijah and Charlee Lue.

Per Rene's wishes, she was laid to rest privately with a green burial at Natural Path Sanctuary beneath the site of an art installation she created in 2021. Rene requested a memorial service in her honor after her family had adequate time to grieve. The service will be held on Sunday, March 2nd at the Arts + Literature Laboratory in Madison from 2:00-5:00 PM. All who knew Rene and were touched by her life are welcome to come. Visitation will be held from 2:00-2:30 followed by a short service. The memorial will conclude with light refreshments, time to create art, and further time to connect with family and friends of Rene's. Her poetry books and art prints will be available at the service and directly through Dannee for those who are unable to attend.

We request folks submit handwritten or digital stories of her impact to show her legacy as a gift for her family. These stories will help Emerson better know her momma as she grows.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to support her children Noelle and Emerson or CAYA Clinic.

"In the end, what makes you a phoenix is not

just the fire,

but the flight."

2023 R.B. Simon