Agnes Evangeline "Kit" Racine

Agnes "Kit" Racine, 91, of Winooski, Vermont went home peacefully to the Lord on September 23, 2025, at the Respite House in Colchester, Vermont with family by her side, ending a 4 year bout with congestive heart failure. Kit had a strong will to live, always trying to maintain a positive outlook and relying on her deep faith.

Agnes was born in Winooski, Vermont, to Joseph and Irene (Granger) Bissonnette on January 21, 1934. She was 1 of 11 children and was given the nickname "Kit" by her brother Wilfred for her love of Kit candies. She loved ice skating and convertible cars. Kit served as a Candy Striper at the then DeGoesbriand Hospital and later married Raymond Thomas Racine on April 16, 1955, in Winooski, Vermont, where they went on to raise their family of 7 children. They were married for 66 years, Kit was predeceased by Raymond on September 25, 2021.

Kit was devoted to her family and dedicated her life to her husband and children. She became Grandma to 17 grandchildren and Great Grandma to 13 great grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening; maintaining her flower beds always brought her joy. Grandchildren were also a source of joy for Kit and babysitting was always welcomed. Attending school plays, all kinds of sporting events, Stunt Nite and any other events the grandchildren participated in kept Kit and Ray busy.

Over the last several years Kit became an avid fan of watching basketball and football. The weekends included family visits to watch sports with her. She loved rooting for the Boston Celtics. Some of our fondest memories of Mom are how she'd say "Cheaters!" when an opposing team was winning and how Mom selected the team she'd cheer for based on which team jersey she liked better. Those teams almost always won.

Kit practiced servant leadership. She was involved in the organizations VT Right to Life, Christian Action Ministry, and We Stand with Israel. She and Raymond served for 22 years at the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles. She assisted with the Right to Life booth at the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds in Essex, Vermont for several years.

Agnes was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Bissonnette, her mother, Irene Bissonnette, her brothers Roger Bissonnette, Leo Bissonnette, Paul Bissonnette, Philip Bissonnette, and Wilfred Bissonnette, and her sisters Theresa Hallendy, Janet Grant, and Aline Bissonnette, and her great granddaughter Emaline Lantagne.

Agnes is survived by her daughter Evangeline Lantagne and her husband, Douglas of Fairfax, VT; her daughter Valerie Gratton and her husband, Brian of Elgin, SC; her son Thomas Racine and his wife, Laurie of Grand Isle, VT; her son Ronald Racine and his wife, Beth of Underhill, VT; her son Matthew Racine of Colchester, VT; her daughter Bernadette Gratton of Dallas, TX; her daughter Bonnie Vallance of Winooski, VT; her sister Leona (Bissonnette) Lewonski of Palm Bay, FL; her sister Anne Marie (Bissonnette) St. Clair and her husband James of Georgetown, TX, as well as 17 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Her family meant everything to her.

The family of Agnes wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to Danielle Winslow and the Cardiology Team at UVM Medical Center, who were so attentive and kind in their caregiving and family support; the Home Health Hospice group for their graceful caregiving, especially nurse Sarah and chaplain Joan, each of whom Agnes would look forward to visiting with; and the staff at the Respite House for managing her needs in her final days and for supporting our family. We extend special thanks to nurse Beth Schultz from Home Health Hospice for helping Agnes in her truest time of need toward the end of her Home Hospice time.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at St. Francis Xavier Church in Winooski at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at St. Francis Cemetery. A reception will be held afterwards in Salon ABC at the Delta Hotel, 1117 Williston Road, South Burlington.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Vermont Right to Life, 7 Baldwin Street, Suite 204, Montpelier, VT 05602, and International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem (ICEJ), PO Box 415000, Nashville, TN, 37241-5000.