
Rita Moran, a co-founder of EarthTides Pagan Network and a guiding spirit of Pagan community for many years, died Monday, March 14, 2022, after a brief illness.
In her long life (she was often shy of revealing her actual age), she acted as a Pagan teacher, celebrant, musician, organizer, ritual writer and performer. She carried her values out in her “real” life as a bookseller and political activist.
She often told stories about her past careers as a photographer in the ’70s (who advertised in The Village Voice “we photograph anything,” and did), and as a union advocate and trainer of emergency medical technicians in New York state. She had also been active with the Monmouth Community Players and Central Maine library organizations.
She was one of the first two out-of-the-broom-closet Pagans to attend the Democratic National Convention. She was a founding board member of the Maine Pagan Clergy Association and a part of interfaith clergy efforts to advocate for equality for LGBTQ+ Mainers.
In 2007, the Christian Civic League chose to attack Rita, then chair of the Kennebec County Democrats, for her participation in what he called “one of Maine’s thriving underground pagan worship circles,” publishing her private contact information. Pagans from around the country donated to the county Democratic committee and bought from Rita’s then-business, Apple Valley Books in Winthrop, to show their support.
We invite those who knew her to post memories here, and to offer private prayers for the comfort and peace of her spirit and the comfort and healing of those she leaves behind.
March 15, 2022 at 4:04 pm
So very sorry to learn of her passing and will miss her dearly. Rita was a friend and inspiration to me and so many others. She fought for what she believed in, encouraged others, brought much experience to the table, and gave freely of her time.
March 15, 2022 at 7:46 pm
I just went and looked at my last message from Rita, 4 years ago she said “In my heart we are coven sisters and always will be.” I’ll miss you Rita. Truly.
March 15, 2022 at 8:20 pm
Will miss seeing Rita at labor meetings. I loved it when she would speak about things , she was passionate about. RiP. , Rita.. What a great loss.
March 16, 2022 at 5:33 am
Rita was such an inspiration to Pagans of all ages, and helped many come out of the broom closet.
March 16, 2022 at 1:24 pm
RIP Rita. You had a huge impact in so many areas and we are all very grateful.
March 16, 2022 at 5:58 pm
My heart is heavy and my spirit is grieved, but I know that she will continue to be present in all of our hearts. Rita’s sense of justice and her commitment to equality for all were present in everything she did.
We will miss her, and follow her lead. Rest in Power, sister.
March 16, 2022 at 6:43 pm
Peaceful journey Rita your wisdom will be greatly missed.
March 17, 2022 at 3:42 pm
Rita was such an active and passionate member of the Winthrop Community, she will be missed in so many ways.
March 17, 2022 at 4:16 pm
Rita was a spirited participant in several of our V-Day presentations of “The Vagina Monologues,” and a passionate advocate for justice. We are so sad to hear of her passing.
-Toby for UUTheater
Auburn UU/First Universalist of Auburn
March 17, 2022 at 7:07 pm
Rita shared her passion for social justice by performing in several of our V-Day presentations of “The Vagina Monologues.” She will be missed.
March 17, 2022 at 7:13 pm
Such energy and force she had! Farewell, Rita.
March 17, 2022 at 7:30 pm
I remember having a lot of fun at her PanThea presentations. And after I lost a lot of books after Superstorm Sandy, she helped my friends buy me replacements for the rarest ones. May you dance into the Summerland amidst singing and rejoicing, and be blessed forever.
March 18, 2022 at 12:02 pm
Such a loss to the community! She was an amazing woman who will be greatly missed. Her gifts and wisdom remain with us as she travels back to the mystery. Safe journey, lovely lady.
March 18, 2022 at 5:09 pm
I am so saddened to learn about Rita’s passing. What a lovely, warm, brilliant and many-faceted lady she was! She gave so much of herself to many Maine communities, pagan and literary and educational and political and business and no doubt more I don’t know about. I feel lucky to have known her.
March 18, 2022 at 6:50 pm
Rita, I always enjoyed visiting your wonderful bookstore, Apple Valley Books in Winthrop, with its special reading area and fine selections of children’s books and pagan art. I much admired your leadership in the Democratic Party. Your passing feels to me like a heartbreaking loss to the world, but a great gift to the universe.
March 19, 2022 at 6:02 am
I have fond memories of the first time I met you at the Apple Valley Bookstore and spending a few days with you at your home. May your journey be swift sister.
March 21, 2022 at 8:21 pm
So sorry to have lost such an insightful, lively, kind and generous friend. ️
March 25, 2022 at 8:35 pm
Rita, you will be missed! You were always a bright spot at every PanThea I saw you at – enjoyed your positive attitude, your workshops… And yes, I have fond memories of visiting you up in Maine one afternoon and overnight back in the late 2000’s. I just found out today – I’m still stunned. And will likely be long saddened. Rise up in the Summerlands, my friend!
April 13, 2022 at 3:07 pm
I’ll miss her as well. She was the best support in my life. I will miss you and I’m sorry that I never got to apologize to her. If there is a funeral please let me know.
April 26, 2022 at 7:20 pm
Rita was a passionate, devoted Democrat, and I was lucky to have worked with her on a few campaigns.
She was always very positive, and I will miss her smiling face and sharp wit.
Fair winds, Rita. You’ll be missed.