1921 – 2015
BRUNSWICK — Mary Selfride Morin Racine died Friday, April 17, at the age of 93, while at Freeport Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, where she lived for one year.
Mary Selfride Morin, also known as Lily, was the youngest daughter of Henri and Selfride (Poitras) Morin. She was born in Brunswick on Aug. 30, 1921, and attended St. John’s School in Brunswick.
At the age of 12, Mary started her first job working as a cook in her mother’s boarding house. She also worked with her mother as a seamstress and tailor’s assistant. Over the years, Mary worked at the Cabot-Varney Mill, the Brunswick Mill Outlet, Morin’s Market and the Jay Brush Corp. After working as a cook for the Brunswick School Department for 18 years, Mary retired in 1984.
During her early years of retirement, she and her husband enjoyed traveling, especially with Maine Line Bus Tours.
Mary Morin married Gerard Romeo Racine on Nov. 30, 1939, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Brunswick. They were married for 65 years before Gerard died on May 22, 2004.
While living in Brunswick, Mary volunteered as a Girl Scout leader, an assistant Brownie leader, and a Cub Scout den mother. She also served as president of St. John’s Guild and vice president of the Union Street School PTA. She also sang with the Ladies of St. Anne Choir.
Mary was a member of the Daughters of Isabella for 75 years, joining at age 16. She served in several offices, as well as chairing and serving on many committees for the Rev. Remy Circle. She was a member of the D of I Circle Degree Team, which traveled throughout the state of Maine. Mary was once president of the Father William Dauphin Fourth Degree Wives Assembly, and voted Knights of Columbus Wife of the Year in 1973.
For many years, Mary bowled for several league teams, including the Daughters of Isabella and Brunswick Senior Citizens. She served on the board of directors for the Brunswick Evergreen Club, of which she was also a member. She often volunteered at the Knights of Columbus beano canteen, where her whoopie pies, chocolate fudge and apple pies were always in big demand.
Family and friends for many years recognized Mary as a gourmet cook and baker with an extensive collection of recipes and cookbooks. Her apple pies often won awards at the Topsham Fair, as well as some of her other crafts. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, quilting, embroidery and wool rug-braiding. She and her husband, Gerard, spent many hours working side by side on various projects, most of which are now owned by family members.
Besides her husband, Gerard Romeo Racine, Mary was also predeceased by her daughter, Marie Anne Favreau, on Nov. 30, 2009.
Surviving relatives include Mary’s son, Gerard Prudent Racine of Auburn; her daughter, Agnes G. Parker and her husband, Harold F. Parker Jr., of Bath, with whom Mary resided for 22 years. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, who reside throughout Maine, Missouri, Massachusetts and Vermont.
To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.
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