When I sent her my last message on March 19th, it had been 8 days since Deena had been seen on Facebook. That day, I had noticed an unusual silence. I thought she might been having a more difficult time and hoped she would be back soon. I reached out and sent her a Sunrise Morning Message. It stayed unanswered. As the days went by, I would visit her page, hoping to see a picture, a wise saying, a beautiful flower, friends who come and made her smile, a lovely message to her Norm, an artist she admire… but the silence turned into absence.

About a week later, I saw the first message announcing her passing. Goodbye Messages… left on her page by so many people who like me, were feeling blessed to have been welcomed in her Journey.

She had more 3200 Facebook friends. Although their beloved Sailboat Pranava (‘Yes’ in Sanskrit. ‘Yes’ to superior things…) and our Sailboat Tranquillité were on the same dock, we became ”Facebook Friends” through our Posts on the Trident Yacht Club Facebook Page in December of 2019.

Through the Pandemic, through difficult times, from a distance, I like to think we became Friends. I know we became Friends. We had totally different backgrounds and life stories. I knew very little about her, but we quickly found out we love so much of the same things. Life, Water, Colorful Skies, Chipmunks, Arts, Winter Walks, Swimming… and so much more. We also connected on Political and World Views. We share the Importance of Truth, Justice, Respect. We embraced Diversity, Inclusion and so much more… So much more !

In July 2021, for the first time and the one and only time, we met in person. They were coming back from a sail and I happened to be walking by. I introduced myself as Mylène from Facebook. She was Deena from Facebook. We were just happy to meet each other. As I envied their life on the beautiful shores of the Saint-Lawrence, I didn’t not know she was already battling a force that could not take her will to live Her Best Life.

We sold our Tranquillité, they sold their Pranava and we moved to Nova Scotia… to live Our Best Life. She was happy for us. I learned that her health had been declining, but I was happy to see her Big Smile shining through the pictures with her many visitors. She continued to share her Inspirations until the two weeks before her passing. I know she got my New Year’s Card. I forgot what I wrote, but she told me she received it!

She passed away on March 24th 2024. When I heard of her passing, I instantly thought about preserving all the Inspiration, Wisdom, Art, Beauty and Light… she had shared over the past 5 years.

When I read her Obituary, I saw Everything she had Embraced, Loved and Accomplished. She had an Extraordinary Life. She was Extraordinary. You can read it below…

To Norm, to her Family, to her all her Friends and to Every one she Cared for… and Loved her back dearly.

To you Deena… my Friend, who Welcomed me into your Life. You are Loved!

DEENA (CRISTINA) RASKY Dec 21st 1950 – Mar 24th 2024

In loving memory of Deena (Cristina) Rasky who passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at Providence Care Hospital, Kingston. Much loved wife of Norm Greer, she was predeceased by her mother Dorothy Vander, father Frank Rasky, and brother Franklyn Rasky. Members of the Vander, Rasky and Greer families remember her with much fondness.

Deena attended Centennial College, studying in the Multimedia program. She worked in the printing business at Toronto Typographical Union, and the Toronto Star and NOW magazine as compositor, followed by a position as close captionner at The Life Network. As a founding member of the Broadside Feminist Collective in Toronto, Deena was very involved with their publications. She was an active member of her book group where she got to indulge her love of reading.

A vibrant and fun-loving person, Deena made many lasting connections through her passions including her love and practice of music and yoga. Norm and Deena met while playing in the North York Symphony, Deena on violin and Norm on cello. She participated in music camps and her circle of friends grew. Later, she played in Kingston with Orchestra Kingston and enjoyed much chamber music with new found friends.

In 1998, Deena and Norm went to California to study with Bikram Choudhury and in 2001, opened their Bikram hot yoga studio, Active Yoga, in the High Park area of Toronto. She was much valued as a teacher and friend by those who taught and attended classes there. After 15 years running a fulfilling practice, they retired to Kingston. Deena taught and took classes at Oasis Yoga where she continued to be “Yoga Mom” to many. She was a devout follower of Self Realization Fellowship, and the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Locally, she and Norm have been members of Trident Yacht Club. Previously, they were members of Mimico Cruising Club (MCC) in Toronto, Newcastle Yacht Club, and Lagoon City Yacht Club (LCYC) on Lake Simcoe. Their other sailing ventures included charters in the Caribbean and as far afield as the Whitsunday Islands of Australia.

Many thanks to the compassionate staff who cared for Deena during her hospitalization in KGH, St Mary’s, and Providence Care Hospital.

We will miss Deena’s bright smile, her interest in the lives of those around her and her ability to reach out and connect. She was a proud member of the Breast Cancer Action Kingston’s (BCAK) Chestmates Dragonboat team who describe themselves as “breast cancer survivors paddling together in an invigorating, exhilarating and life-affirming sport”.