Carol S. (Macy) Rainey Obituary (2023)

TIVERTON... Carol S. (Macy) Rainey, 74, of Tiverton passed away September 17, 2023, at St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River, following a brief illness. Born in Bloomington, IL, she was a daughter of the late Lawrence W. and Margaret L. (Nix) Macy. After growing up in Normal, IL, Carol received a master's degree from Illinois State University and later pursued a PhD in Future Studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She lived in Boston, Manhattan, Fez (Morocco), and Brooklyn, before moving to Tiverton, RI six years ago. An accomplished filmmaker, Carol shot, produced, and directed many PBS and independent documentaries on medical and scientific subjects. She was the Director of Media Development at New England Research Institutes (NERI) and held various senior-level creative positions with MultiVision Digital NYC, and VizWiz Productions. At the time of her death, she was a key player in the production of a major full-length documentary, which is slated for release next year. Carol wrote grant proposals that resulted in awards totaling more than $16.8 M for the National Institutes of Health, New York State Department of Health, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and the Massachusetts Council on Arts and Humanities. She was also co-author of the book Sight Unseen (with ex-husband Budd Hopkins) She loved animals and had many beloved pets throughout her life-including several Papillons and Oriental shorthair cats, each of which she described as her "living, breathing works of art." She is survived by her daughter, Brooke Raney-Sanna and her husband John Sanna of Tiverton; her grandson, Kaylis Brynn Raney of New York City; her brother, Paul Macy of Shirley, IL and many nieces and nephews. She was the former wife of the author and artist Budd Hopkins. Both he and her sister, Peggy Monkemier, predeceased her. Carol's favorite quote was a line by Mary Oliver, the American poet: "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" An ever-curious multi-tasker, Carol was close to completing her memoir at the time of her death. A date for a Celebration of Life will be held on November 18, 2023 at 1pm at SandyWood Event Space, 43 Muse Way, Tiverton, RI 02878