Dakota Raine, of Peabody, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully after a challenging battle with kidney disease and Alzheimer’s. She was 74 years old.
Born in 1951 in Danvers as Rebecca Banks, Dakota later chose to change her name in adulthood—a reflection of her independent spirit and evolving sense of self. She was proud of the life she built and the person she became.
She is survived by her loving daughters, Nicole Prince and husband Chris, and Kathryn Sweeney and husband Dan. She was a devoted and deeply cherished grandmother to Abigail and Emily Prince, who brought immense joy and light to her life. Dakota also leaves behind her beloved siblings, Rodney Banks, Roberta Hall, Robert Banks, and Roger Banks, and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
She was predeceased by her brother, Russell Banks, by her parents, Charles and Barbara Banks, and by her ex-husband and good friend, Peter Tirrell.
Dakota became a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reading, where she found spiritual grounding and a warm, supportive community. She attended services regularly and deeply valued the friendships she made.
Dakota will be remembered for her creativity, inclusivity, and appreciation of nature. One of her favorite places was Good Harbor beach at sunrise. She approached life with a fun and child-like nature prioritizing joy and spontaneity. She loved to laugh and encouraged everyone to live in the moment. She touched the lives of many and will be missed by her family and friends.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate Dakota’s life on Saturday, January 17th at 10:30 am at the Universalist Unitarian Church of Reading (UUCR), 239 Woburn Street, Reading, with lunch to follow. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the UUCR, https://uureading.org/donate/. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly. Condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.
