Hera Votolato

Obituary Honoring Hera Votolato
"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make " [Abbey Road]
'Hera's Odessey' began on August 26, 1961, in Providence, Rhode Island, when she was born to Judge Arthur and Dacia (Libutti) Votolato. Spending her early childhood in the Edgewood section of Cranston, she accumulated many lifelong friends; some of these 'Edgewardians', as I, her "sorella" like to call them, moved mountains to be near through both the smooth and rough times of her life! Hera was uniquely magnetic, open, and generous. She was a free spirit and this refreshing approach to life attracted her to people; always.
When Hera was very young - to her father's delight - she would do hilarious impersonations of adults. She performed them with such nuance that her intelligence and wit were revealed at a very early age. This is also when her rebellious streak emerged. Hera was here to live her life with unbridled curiosity, love and genuine kindness. Later, during her teenage years, she became an avid reader and always kept a journal.
She graduated from Cranston East High School in 1979, where she played field hockey and competed on the gymnastics team, excelling on the balance beam. She was also active in the performing arts, performing with the former Looking Glass Theater. She continued her theater training doing summer stock in Vermont with the Green Mountain Guild.
Following her freshman year of college, which included Dance studies, at the University of Rhode Island (URI), she transferred to Rhode Island College (RIC) and danced with the RIC Dance Company and our home-grown, gorilla-style dance company, Co-Motion. Hera spent a Semester at Sea thorough the University of Pittsburg and traveled around the world. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in English Literature. Gifted with exquisite penmanship, she was also an excellent writer.
During the 1980's, Hera's talents continued to emerge as a disk jockey (DJ) at local radio station WHJY where she gained popularity as "Heavy Metal Hera"!
In the fall of 1988, she moved to New York City where she worked at Lister Travel, Inc., Z Bar, and the legendary Condon's Jazz Club. Returning home to Rhode Island in the mid 1990's she became practically inseparable from her revered Father. It was then, too, that she met the Jon Raben who would soon become her protector and friend for the next 23 years until his untimely death in 2019.
On August 23rd, 2000, Hera had a catastrophic car accident in which she suffered traumatic brain injury, leaving her profoundly physically debilitated for the rest of her life; the complications of which would ultimately take her from us and humanity. She remained in a coma for almost four months at which time her long, comprehensive, and excruciating recovery began. Moving from Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, to Zambarano Memorial Hospital in Burrillville, and Lakeview Neuro-Rehabilitation Center in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. She spent the last eleven years of her life at Elmhurst Extended Care (the old Lying-In Hospital) in Providence.
Contracting the Chinese Wuhan Covid Virus in 2020 caused her complete isolation from the outside world for more than one year; although she survived, this took a devastating toll on her. Her final and, sadly, fatal decline began in September 2022, with the first in a series of multiple and increasingly severe pneumonias, occurring in rapid succession. Soldiering-on, as she always did, she was treated at Rhode Island Hospital and finally received hospice care at Hope Hospice/Hulitar Center where she passed away with dignity on November 22nd. Her sufferings now over, may she rest in eternal peace.
Despite the difficulties and limitations caused by her injuries, Hera was a true 'trooper' and derived much enjoyment from the company of family, friends, travels, events, and experiences. She especially loved Shakespear and had a life-long affinity for and appreciation of music. While she was growing up her house was often filled with music. Although Rock & Roll excited her to no end; as she began settling down, she listened exclusively to jazz. She liked her music LOUD. Her favorite movies included The Deer Hunter, The Last Waltz, Easy Rider, Raging Bull, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
She loved Rhode Island and all things Italian! SHE LOVED FLYING WITH HER FATHER! Although she was well known for her partying prowess, there was an underlying gravitas to her soul and her being. She questioned authority and could see around corners, often viewing things from a distinctly unique perspective.
Hera leaves her mother, Dacia Nickerson; her devoted stepfather, Clive Nickerson; her forever loyal and heartbroken sister, Dacia Votolato, and her devoted companion cat, Bonnie.
Hera would want people to remember her as unforgettable; and for those who knew her well, that certainly will be easy. She's unforgettable. Most of all, though, she'll be remembered for her boundless energy, stamina, bravery, and love! Her final request, for those who may be so inclined, would be to honor her memory with some - random or intentional - Act of Kindness. For example, visit a facility like Zambarano where people are trapped and alone or hold open a door for someone using or pushing a wheelchair. And please, don't use parking spaces reserved for 'Handicapped' if you are not legitimately "crippled"! That would make Hera very happy.
Although her earthly life is over, her essence and spirit will find all of you somehow, somewhere, sometime. The family acknowledges with sincere gratitude & appreciation the care and compassion provided to Hera by the many caregivers who attended to her during the past several years.
Services for Hera were respectfully private; she was laid to rest in the Votolato Family lot in St. Ann's Cemetery, Cranston. Arrangements were entrusted to the Berarducci Home & Cremation Center, Providence.