It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Carrie Adeline Racine (nee Sitar) passed peacefully in her 100th year from this dimension into the next on Tuesday, February 13th, 2024.

Predeceased by her parents, Pauline and John Sitar, her husband, Rene (1980), her son, Gary (1996), her grandson, Tim (2010), her son-in-law, Bill (2012) and her granddaughter, Carly (2019) and all of her siblings: Minnie, Jean, Tony and Eddie. She will be fondly remembered and cherished by her surviving children: Lionel, Laurraine (Paul), Gloria, Don and Donna (Mark) and by her surviving grandchildren: Renee (Andrew), Jamie (Jennifer), Adam (Katie), Jessica (Geoffrey), Dylan, Ashley, and Danielle and by her eight great-grandchildren: Hayden, Callum, Brock, Juliette, Cameron, Josie, Kinsley and Silas, and her nieces, nephews and friends.

Mom was born and raised on a farm in Elma, Manitoba and relocated to Toronto where she managed a busy Honey Dew restaurant. In 1949, Mom and Dad started a family. After the last of her children entered kindergarten, Mom embarked on a 25 year career of working with the Toronto District School Board, often with behaviourally challenged students. Her students, some of whom continue to connect with her to this day, benefited greatly from her wisdom, dedication and love. Mom’s involvement in union negotiations resulted in great benefits for its members and gained her the respect from many key board members.

Mom was a powerful force with a feisty spirit, a good sense of humor and a hearty laugh. She was hard-working, independent, resilient, dependable and always willing to extend a helping hand to someone in need. She volunteered in many capacities, instilling in her children the love of and belief in the importance of service to others. She was proud of her ability to obtain a driver’s license late in life and often reminisced about the days when she could cruise about the streets of Toronto. She was fiercely loyal and protective of her many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was always putting her loved ones before herself by generously offering her guidance and support. She was a great cook with perogies and cabbage rolls being her specialty, and she was an even better baker, spending many days every Christmas filling cookie tins with home-baked goodies for all to enjoy.

Most of all, Mom was always there to listen, to love and to advise. Even multiple health scares seemed unable to stop her. Her love and her spirit is irreplaceable and she will be so incredibly missed. We are hopeful that Mom is now at peace without pain and is enjoying time with all of the loved ones that have gone before her. We are thankful that she was compassionately cared for and supported during the final years of her life at St. Clair O'Connor Community Long Term Care Home in Toronto.

Mom will live on in our hearts forever and we look forward to the day when we will see her again.

In memory of Mom, please feel free to make a donation (in time or funds) to a charity of your choice.