Mary
M.
Jaehn
)Racine
Obituary
Mary M. (Jaehn) Racine, 70, of Fort Wayne died February 10, 2019 at Lincolnshire Place. Mary was born January 21, 1949 in Fort Wayne. She was the daughter of the late Max and Eleanor Jaehn. Mary spent her life in service to others. A graduate of Central Catholic High School ('66) and Indiana University, Mary taught hundreds of students in Columbia, MO, Dublin, OH, and Austin, TX. She loved her God, her family, her students, her colleagues, and her many friends. Mary was all about relationships. Everyone loved Mary, one of the sweetest and kindest people we all knew. She will be missed here and welcomed There. May God grant her rest and a senior AP English class. Mary is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Drew Racine; son John (Kalin Harvard) Racine and sister Ellie (Barry) Green. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am, Thursday, February 14, 2019 at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1502 E. Wallen Rd. with calling one hour prior. Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 13, 2019, from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm & 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne. Inurnment will be in Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne, IN. Memorials may be made in Mary's honor to the St. Vincent de Paul Society or St. Mary's Soup Kitchen.
Services
Condolences
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Our sincere sympathies to Drew and John. Mary was a special lady with a deep appreciation for her family, friends, students and life. She and I worked together when she first came to Columbia, MO. I’ll always remember her glowing smile.
We were very saddened to see that Mary had died and send our deepest sympathy to you all. Peter, Jill, Gavin and Ian Dunn Columbia Mo.
I am deeply saddened to hear of Mary’s passing. Mary was my mentor when I began teaching English in1997 at LBJ, and I followed her when she was selected to start the new Language Arts department at Akins. She was always kind and calm and acutely competent. Her skills and trusting, faithful leadership improved the education and lives of thousands of students and dozens of teachers over the years. Her impact is profound and lives on.
Mrs. Racine was my English teacher at Hickman High School my sophomore year, 1981-82, a year I remember as one of my worst. But I looked forward to her class every day. She was so kind, so patient, and she treated each of us as if we really mattered. Though I went on to become a college professor, I was a lousy and lazy student then. But she pushed me to be better and, for some reason, had confidence in me. She was really the only teacher I felt connected to all year. She made English fun, and set me up to do well in the years to come. I was sad when she moved to Ohio right after that year. My friend, Tom O’Connor, and I wrote her a few letters over the next couple of years. She seemed amused by our sense of humor and indulged our silliness as we worked on a couple of projects together in class (it was, literally, sophomoric humor). I think the fact we wanted to keep in touch with a teacher says it all about the impact she had on us. We did lose touch eventually, but news of her passing much too young hits hard. My deepest sympathies to her whole family. She was a remarkable woman and we were graced to have had her in our lives.
Mary was my colleague and friend. She was one of the titans of the Language Arts Department at Hickman High School (Columbia), someone I often turned to for advice on literature and grammar. Mary and I always found something to laugh about every single time we met, and that will be my enduring memory of her. Thanks for being my friend, thanks for fetching me in San Antonio and taking me to a great meal in Austin, and rest in peace.
I had the privilege of teaching with Mary at Akins High School in Austin. She has such a beautiful soul. She shared so many words of wisdom with me as a new teacher and helped guide my heart as an educator. She helped me see students as I would look at my own children. Just a beautiful lady. Heaven gained an angel! I pray for all of her loved ones and family in this time of sorrow.
Yes… Heaven has gained an angel for sure! I also had the privilege of working and learning with Mary at Akins HS. I can’t think of a better example to learn from. She was a phenomenal woman with a huge heart and a great sense of humor that managed to see the good in everyone. Thank you, Mary, for all you taught me without even realizing it.
What a blessing it was to know Mary while she was in Austin! Mary was a member of our Mah Jong group for years and I have such wonderful memories of our time together. Our time was always full of laughter, sharing stories, having wonderful desserts and, of course, playing Man Jong! My prayers go out for Drew and John. Mary was a shining light to all of us!
Mary’s office was in the Akins’ English workroom. Sometimes she and I would talk about Sunday’s gospel while she was eating fig jam and Brie on crackers or she might be working on a list Mary Alice or Daniel wanted yesterday. I always wished to be as unflappable as she was. I could be rushing around with my hair on fire (which reminds me of the tornado and subsequent black out) then look to Mary and, while I was wringing my hands, she had a solution worked out. I loved it most when she was working with students: quiet conversations, gentle nudges and insightful questions. Students would leave feeling strong, confident. This was Mary at her finest, rock steady in the middle of chaos or a quiet stream. She was a mentor and a friend. I will miss her. I take solace knowing she loved her God and, as He promised, she has found her green pasture with a table prepared for her with books, lots and lots of books and, perhaps, a glass of red wine.
It’s difficult to think of Mary without also thinking of Drew, they were such a team! We love them both and are saddened at Mary’s passing. She was a true beacon of light for many, with a great sense of humor and sharp wit. Our many evenings spent together will not be forgotten. We wish Drew, and her family all the best!
So sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. I have many fond memories as a classmate and neighbor. I especially remember her involvement in high school activities, her enthusiasm and acceptance of all who came in contact with her. My condolences to Drew and John and Ellie.
This is a sad loss for so many of us. Her husband, Drew, her partner on her blessed journey through life, is left without her good cheer, cleverness, and physical presence, but faith tells us her presence will be with him, and all of us whenever we welcome it. I also knew her in her college years, but was able to maintain some relationship with both her and Drew, from those early years (Navy, California, baby) to more recent years with a visit to them in Austin, and then back in Fort Wayne again. The spirit of love that envelops such a marriage gave a glow to everything around them. The challenges were great, but she has come through, giving us some joy in the midst of tears.
I was saddened to hear of Mary’s passing. I remember my classmate at CCHS, but even more her presence at the Crosier House Sunday Community, along with Drew, my classmate at St. Gregory’s Seminary. May Mary be with God. I pray Drew is comforted remembering his 49 years of loving marriage with Mary, and consoled by those who come to honor Mary and celebrate her life at the Mass of the Resurrection. May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding be with Mary and her family.