SAO PAOLO, Brazil (20 May 2009) — A renowned educator died while scuba diving off the coast of Brazil. Authorities there told CDNN that Irene DaMota, 60, drowned while scuba diving with her daughter, Leslie DaMota. DaMota moved to Brazil in 2006 aftere a 32-year career as an educator in the Chicago Public School system. She was principal of Whittier Elementary before taking over as principal of Clemente High School in 1997. "She was incredibly generous, generous to a fault. She was a remarkable person and a close friend," said Carol Maliza, who worked under Ms. DaMota at Whittier. After moving to Brazil, ostensibly to retire, DaMota "unretired" after turning her home into an international school where children from Brazil and the international community could learn together. DaMota is survived by her father, Ladislao Mika; her sister, Lidia Mika; Leslie and another daughter, Liesel; a son, Erick; two brothers, Dan and George Mika, and another sister, Noemi Mika Mondragon. | 
