Chris "Cece" Raines

RAINES, Chris "CeCe”, aged 76 of Kettering, Ohio, passed away on September 17, 2020 at the Hospice of Dayton. Daughter of Tom and Marie Cleary, Chris was West Carrollton's graduating class of 1961's Homecoming Queen and Glee Club president despite the fact that she could not carry a tune. She graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1964 with an education degree in a quick three years, but was able to make life-long friendships there in her sorority, Delta Gamma. After marrying and raising her family, she earned her Masters degree in special education from BGSU and did graduate work at The University of Dayton. Her long professional career positively impacted the lives of students, included those at West Carrollton High School, Vantage Joint Vocational School and Van Wert High School, where she said she had so much fun she felt guilty taking a paycheck. Once Chris retired, she moved to Dayton to be closer to her family and was rehired by Centerville High School where she again made many friends and made a difference in the lives of her students. The greatest joys in her life were her family members, including her two children Sally (Tim) Lahmon and Marcy Holland, grandchildren Mackenzie and Sam Lahmon, Jack, Luke and Ben Holland, and Mia and Annie Raines, sister Peg Aracri and husband of eleven years Steve Raines, all of whom she precedes in death.

Chris made life more beautiful not only with her easy, warm smile and twinkling brown eyes, but by her joyful and contagiously optimistic approach to life. She knew how to make connections with people from all walks of life and loved nothing more than cheering for her grandchildren on the courts, fields, and courses where each of them benefitted from her unwavering support. Her eleven years with Steve were the best years of her life whether they were seeing shows on Broadway, having dinner with friends, wintering in Naples, or just watching old movies at home. Deeply empathic, she was a borderline-obsessive holiday decorator, an excellent problem solver, and one of the very best friends and mother a person could ever have. She was exceptional at meeting the varied and conflicting needs of multiple people with ease, creating lasting family Christmas memories, selflessly caring for her mother with her sister, and facing her own end of life bravely and realistically. Her vibrant, compassionate and fun-loving spirit will be deeply missed by many.

Special thanks to Donna Welker and Vicky Anthony for their help providing loving care. The family is holding a private service and hopes to plan a celebration of her life at some time next year. Until then, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that those so inclined make a donation to one of the following charities designed to help students: West Carrollton Pirate Packs c/o 12991Newburg Court, Dayton, Ohio 45458 or the Van Wert City Schools Special Education Department to provide sensory equipment for students with disabilities c/o 205 West Crawford Van Wert, Ohio 45891.