Dr. Marie-Marcelle Buteau Racine

5/31/1934 – 7/23/2020

The Celebration of Life will be held at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Washington, D.C. and broadcast through the link below to allow friends and family to participate from a distance.

Celebration of Life livestream

Date & Time

August 14, 2020
2:00 PM EST

Location

3211 Sacred Heart Way
Washington, DC, 20010
USA

Parking

Parking is available

On the street
In the lot next to the church
Behind tennis courts next to the building
In the lot behind the Sacred Heart school (1625 Park Rd, NW, Washington, DC 20010)

COVID Guidelines for Celebration of Life

Those who choose to attend the celebration mass in person are expected to maintain social distancing, wear a mask and use hand sanitizer when you enter the church.

Members of the same household may sit together, but there should be at least 6 feet of separation otherwise. Gatherings before and after celebrations are prohibited.

According to CDC and Washington D.C. guidelines, those who are particularly vulnerable (e.g. over the age of sixty, existing heart or lung conditions, diabetes, or otherwise immuno-compromised) are urged to remain home and view the livestream. If you have a temperature over 99 degrees please remain home and view the livestream.

All residents and persons traveling to or from “high-risk areas” within the prior fourteen (14) days for non-essential travel must self-quarantine for fourteen (14) days following their return or arrival to the District. If you have recently traveled to/from any of the “ high-risk areas” please plan on viewing the live stream and do not come to the church in person for the celebration.

We appreciate your support adhering to these guidelines to ensure the health and safety of everyone during this time.

Dr. Marie Marcelle Buteau Racine, affectionately known as Maye, Man Maye or Tante Maye to many, was truly a remarkable woman and a matriarch of her family. She wore many hats- mother, wife, professor, teacher, author, chair, founder, sister, friend. She is lovingly remembered by many in her family as the caring person that was always there in your time of need.

On July 23, 2020, Marie Racine, 86, a long-time District resident, passed away in Philadelphia, PA, surrounded by her children, Mikaele Racine and Karl Racine, and sister France Buteau. Born in Les Cayes, Haiti on May 31, 1934, Dr. Racine and her husband, Etzer Racine, immigrated to the United States in 1963. She earned a master’s and PhD in French and Linguistics from Howard University and Georgetown University, respectively, and embarked on an extraordinary 45-year career teaching generations of students at the University of the District of Columbia.

Maye, as she was known by family and friends, was deeply involved in numerous organizations promoting education, women’s rights, and justice in Haiti, Latin America, and the U.S.A.

The celebration of her life will be held on Friday, August 14, 2020, 2 p.m., at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart, 3211 Sacred Heart Way, Washington, DC 20010.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Lambi Fund (LambiFund.org) in Dr. Racine’s name.

I believe that a person who has received a lot should give back more than a lot to others.
Marie m.B. Racine

This quote describes how Maye lived– giving so much of herself to others. She did this through her role as an educator, organizations she created, communities she supported in the US & Haiti, and with her family. Marie touched so many lives as she walked on this earth.