Barbara S. Cirami, Same-Sex Activist
Barbara S. Cirami of East Hampton, an activist for gay and lesbian causes who had a 30-year career with IBM in Westchester, died of cancer at her winter residence in North Fort Myers, Fla., on July 10. She was 72.
Ms. Cirami worked in various capacities at IBM, including as a computer programmer and a marketing analyst in the personal computer division. As a member of the technology company’s human resources committee, she helped develop a benefits program for gay and lesbian employees and their domestic partners.
During her 30-year career at the technology company, she met Ann Viviano, who was to be her wife and partner for 37 years. They were wed in 2016, the year after same-sex marriage became legal in the United States. In 1976, she co-founded the Task Force for Lesbian and Bisexual Women, a part of the Westchester chapter of the National Organization for Women.
Ms. Cirami also was an animal lover who fostered feral kittens and cared for rescue dogs. She walked dogs for the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons and adopted Zoey, her beloved Yorkie, from ARF. She rescued several birds for the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center in Hampton Bays.
She was born on June 16, 1946, on Staten Island, to the former Susie Cavallo and Dominick Cirami. She studied at Wagner College, where she was a member of Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, and vice president of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She graduated magna cum laude in 1968 and received the Psychology Club Award and the Wagner Senior Key.
After graduation, she worked at Bell Labs in New Jersey, but left soon after for IBM. Following her retirement, she and Ms. Viviano moved from Mount Kisco, N.Y., to East Hampton, where she loved to golf, bowl, and kayak.
She is survived by her wife, a sister, Kim Cirami of Palm Harbor, Fla., and a brother, John Cirami of White, Ga. A memorial service will be held in East Hampton at a later date. Details will be announced via mullinsmemorial.com, through which condolences also can be sent.
Memorial contributions were suggested to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, P.O. Box 901, Wainscott 11975.