Renata Martha Adams

ADAMS - Renata Martha Adams, 84, of Newport, RI passed peacefully on Monday, October 6, 2014, with her daughter Katrina and the wonderful caregivers of Blenheim-Newport and Beacon Hospice by her side.Born in East Prussia on November 13, 1929 to Franz-Heinrich and Frieda (Striewe) Adamaszek, she fled her homeland in January 1945 at 14 years of age to escape the Russian advance. Once reunited with her mother and sisters, she spent the next five years in northern West Germany where she completed her education and became a teaching assistant at the nearby British school.Immigrating to Canada in 1951, the next 40-some years would see Renata's zest for adventure and the full enjoyment of life take her from Toronto to Munich, Washington DC, Annapolis, Sarasota and finally to Newport in 1994. She loved her Newport home, and was involved in many organizations including the Newport Historical Society, Tennis Hall of Fame and the Newport Yachting Center, where she helped revitalize their International Oktoberfest event with her extraordinary accordion playing talent and creative flair. Possessed of many artistic gifts, she was an uncanny card reader; avid puzzler and cribbage player; tennis fan; devoted mother, grandmother and friend; and lived to spread joy and make a difference in people's lives. Renata is survived and will be deeply missed by her daughter Katarina (Gowdy) Hele and son-in-law John Hele, of Rye, NY; treasured grandchildren Katherine, Carson and Trevor Hele; and sister Annemarie Birch of Toronto, Canada. She is predeceased by her sister, Gerda Harris and niece, Jeanette Harris Harben.A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2014, at 11:00am in Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI, following a pre-service gathering starting at 10:00am. Feel free to wear a splash of color in recognition of Renata's vibrant life. She will be buried in her family's plot in Toronto at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the MLKC Center of Newport (www.mlkccenter.org). Cemetery Details Private AK, Visitation OCT 11. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Service OCT 11. 11:00 AM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com