WINTHROP — The sudden death this week of Winthrop resident Rita Moran has led to a vacancy on the Town Council.
Rita Moran is seen in 2008. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal file
Moran, who also was the longtime chair of the Kennebec County Democratic Committee, was first elected to the Winthrop Town Council in 2017, and then reelected in 2019 for a three-year term, which would have ended later this year.
Councilor Anthony Wess said Moran, who died Monday following an unspecified illness, was a dedicated member of the council and a well-respected member of the community.
“I’ve worked with Rita off and on various civic projects for the better part of 30 years, and she’s always been a hard worker,” he said. “She’s always been honest. She’s always been willing to listen to the other person’s point of view. It’s a great loss to the community, it really is.”
Wess deferred questions about the council’s next steps in filling the vacancy to Town Manager Jeffrey Kobrock, who did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday.
This would not be the first time Winthrop has dealt with the loss of an active official. In 2017, the council appointed June Bubier to fill the seat of her late husband, David Bubier. And in 2016, Barbara Buck was appointed to fill the seat of her late husband, Ken Buck Sr.
Despite managing an illness, Wess said that Moran still attempted to log onto Zoom and attend the meeting, but was ultimately unable to attend. “She was dedicated right up to the last — she wanted to be a part of things and contribute,” he said.
Wess did not elaborate on the nature of the illness out of respect for Moran’s privacy.
“We had a good personal relationship,” said Wess. “We didn’t always agree with politics, but we didn’t let it interfere. We could always talk and always look for a middle road. She was a good councilor, a good contributor. We’re gonna miss her.”
Moran was an active member in her community for decades, and co-owned Apple Valley Books, a bookstore on Main Street, for about 20 years. She was involved in local theater and library organizations, and also helped create a Winthrop farmers market.
According to an online memorial, she had a career as a photographer in the 1970s and worked as a union advocate in New York State. Moran was a founding board member of the Maine Pagan Clergy Association, where she participated in efforts to advocate for LGBTQ+ Mainers. The memorial note also states that she had a long life and was “often shy of revealing her actual age.”
The Christian Civic League in 2007 accused Moran and the Kennebec County Democratic Committee of being involved with an underground pagan worship circle, and subsequently published her private contact information, which led to an outpouring of support from pagans across the country who both donated to the committee and purchased from her book store.
On Monday, the Kennebec County Democratic Committee posted about Moran’s passing via social media.
“Rita was a fearless and tireless organizer here in Kennebec County and a longtime Chair of KCDC,” the post read. “Her impact will not be forgotten and her passing is a great loss to our community. Rest in power, Rita.”
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