Obituary: Deirdre Coltrera
Deirdre “Dee” Coltrera, a beloved Portland resident and community volunteer, died unexpectedly on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, at a local medical facility. She was 58. Family members, friends, and neighbors were by her side, and many spoke with her over the phone in the hours before she passed.
Coltrera was a creative force in the city’s art and DIY scenes. A self‑taught artist, she drew, designed fashion, and worked with fabrics, often sporting a pair of silver‑painted work boots. She was also a practical hands‑on worker, having mudded drywall in her own home and installed a series of “funky fixtures.” In addition, Coltrera worked as a field‑load tester on bridge concrete projects, and she was a passionate advocate for a forensic psychiatry team, using her knowledge and determination to help others in the recovery community.
“Dee was fierce, brilliant, and never shy about putting her heart into the work she loved,” said a longtime friend. Coltrera’s energy and humor left an imprint on everyone she met, from the first time she met her son Tyrone to the day she re‑connected with her former husband Jonathan Takami after the loss of her daughter, Martina. The family said that even in the face of profound loss, Dee turned her pain into action, serving as a sponsor, resource‑finder, and comforting presence for those navigating recovery.
Coltrera is survived by her son Tyrone Takami, her sister Francesca Coltrera, and her brother Marc Coltrera. She also leaves behind a chosen family that includes Tina, Krista Fowler, Lucy Rich, and Nevaeh Bello, who all shared in her life’s joy and generosity.
A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Italian Heritage Center on Westland Avenue. Friends and family are invited to share stories, memories, and music in a ceremony that reflects Coltrera’s vibrant spirit.
Those who wish to honor her legacy may consider making a donation in lieu of flowers to the Alcoholics Anonymous Central Service Office in Maine, the organization to which she had been a dedicated volunteer for many years. Donations can be made online at http://csoaamaine.org.
