Greta “Marlene” Titon (Caskenette), the infamous Mrs. “T” of Kincardine, died Friday, June 11, 2021, at the age of 82. Teacher, educator, artist, real estate agent, author, missionary, baker extraordinaire, proprietress of Mrs. T’s Tarts ‘N Treats, she was born Jan. 27, 1939, in Hespler, the eldest daughter of Florence Gertrude Caskenette (nee Hockley, died in 2000) and Englebert Caskenette (died in 1964). Marlene spent her childhood years in Preston, and her teenage years in Kincardine. She attended Teacher’s College in Stratford, and began a 22-year sojourn as a gifted elementary school teacher. She taught art for many of those years in Acton where she took summer courses in animation at Sheridan College, and summer courses at the Ontario College of Art where she honed her own gifted art skills. Marlene was well-respected in her field and was asked to be part of the Halton County Board of Education writing team that developed the curriculum for the art department to be used in the Halton County Board Public Elementary School system. The last five years of her career was spent teaching Kindergarten which brought her much joy. Following her successful teaching career, Marlene moved back to Kincardine where she became active in the community and embarked on another 22-year, equally-successful, career as a realtor. She was a well-liked and prolific agent who worked a lot with first-time home buyers. Her black Lincoln Towncar, sporting the C Mrs T licence plate, was regularly seen roaming the areas of town and the countryside around Kincardine. Retirement led her to another passion as the proprietress of Mrs. T’s Tarts ‘N Treats, a baking business she ran from her home, providing deliciously-baked goods. This enabled Marlene to rekindle her artistic side. She joyfully crafted a plethora of beautiful and savoury sweet baking creations to a host of salivating and grateful clientele. It was well-known that visitors, friends and family never left her home without taking “a little something” of baking home with them. As Marlene entered her next retirement, she created her own cookbook, compiled with love and laced with stories of living in this area and family history. The cookbook is a culmination of tried-and-true heritage and heirloom recipes that graced the family table at home and found their way into the hands of admirers. This way, people could still enjoy her baking, but they would have to make it themselves - always the teacher. Marlene married Pierino Titon (died in 2001) of Sudbury. They had one daughter, Adele Florentina Mitchinson (nee Titon), whom Marlene lived with in Kincardine. Though married only a short time, Marlene and Pete always remained valued, much-loved and respected friends. And Marlene welcomed Pete's daughters, Angela Pharand (nee Titon, husband Michael) and Olivia Mensour (nee Titon, husband David), and their families as her own. She returned Home to be with God, Friday, June 11, 2021. Marlene will be laid to rest, Monday, June 14, 2021, in the Kincardine Cemetery, in the town she loved and served. Thanks to the many wonderful, caring and loving doctors, nurses, ambulance attendants and BandAid 1 personnel who serve in our community. In all three hospitals where Marlene received care, these compassionate people treated her with dignity, respect, skill and dedication. I am so very grateful. Donations to the Anglican Church of the Messiah, Kincardine, or the CNIB Guide Dog Program of Canada (cnib.ca), would be a way to honour Marlene’s legacy. |
