Renata A. Stoia

Renata was born on May 16, 1926 in Berlin, Germany. At age 6, she moved with her family to Switzerland to escape Nazi rule, and then at age 14 to Turkey, as they followed the career of her father, Carl Ebert, a renowned opera director. She emigrated to the US in 1947 after falling for her husband, Louis Stoia, whom she met while he was stationed in Turkey serving in the US Armed Forces as a member of the OSS.

As she built her life with Louis, Renata became a highly sought-after script supervisor, working in New York and on location on numerous notable movies including Saturday Night fever, Oliver’s Story, Kramer vs Kramer, Fatal Attraction, Steel Magnolias, Blown Away, and Mermaids among many others. Along with speaking perfect English, Renata was fluent in German, French, and Italian, conversant In Turkish, and read Latin. Throughout her life, Renata loved Linguistics.

Renata was a vibrant and vivacious person, she was deeply devoted to her family and a fierce champion of Louis, and of her treasured children Christopher and Barbara, both of whom also entered the film industry. She was a passionate swimmer and loved the beach. In 1961 Renata and Louis bought a small cottage in Brewster on Upper Mill Pond in Cape Cod where they spent many happy summers. After Louis’ retirement in 1987, Renata and Louis moved full time from New Jersey to their beloved new house, designed entirely by Renata, on the same property they’d come to know and love so well.

She is survived by her loving family: her son Christopher, his wife Cathy, and grandsons, Peter and Alex; her daughter Barbara; her brother Michael Ebert, and wonderful nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and friends across the globe, all of whom adored her. She was predeceased by her siblings, Hidde, Peter, and Christiane, and the love of her life her husband of 69 years, Louis Stoia.

Renata will be missed forever. Her Beauty, her fierce intelligence, her passion for both logic and aesthetics, her generosity and her love of life were the gifts she shared with all who were lucky enough to find themselves in her orbit. A private celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please have a good meal, watch a good movie, and hug your loved ones.