Renee Dyane Carleton passed away peacefully at the Civic Hospital in Ottawa on May 15, 2023 at the age of 51, following complications arising from a surgery.
The beloved wife of Tom Golem, the two of them spent 22 years together building a beautiful family and a wonderful life in Ottawa after moving from Saskatchewan. Renee is the proud mother to William (16) and Jonathan (14), who love her dearly. Renee will forever be their biggest cheerleader at hockey rinks, ski hills, track and field competitions, music recitals, academic endeavors and all other life events.
Renee is also grieved by her parents, Terry and Alice Carleton, and her sister and best friend Sherry Carleton. All were by her side and holding her hand as she said goodbye to this world. She is also survived by her Grandmother Wilma Weinberger, her brother-in-law Bruce Royer and nephews Kaden and Ethan Royer. Renee was predeceased by her Grandparents Wallace and Joyce Carleton and her Grandfather Joseph Weinberger.
Born on February 9, 1972, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, she spent her formative years there initiating a life long love of playing music (piano, trumpet and singing). Renee then lived with her family in Indian Head, Saskatchewan, perfecting her musical skills and honing her athletic abilities with her lifelong close friends on the basketball and volleyball courts, and in the auditorium at high-school concerts and performances. All of this was the foundation of a rich life and a love of a small-town community atmosphere.
Upon graduation, Renee jetted to Paris to become an au pair and study French. This was followed by her studies at the University of Regina, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in French. Her bilingualism was a bonus on the Saskatchewan prairie, opening the door to work with several federal government departments. A move to Ottawa in 2002, allowed Renee to expand her responsibilities at Employment and Social Development Canada and ultimately Global Affairs until her retirement in 2017. Through her various positions in government, she most enjoyed helping people and to improve the lives of those whom she interacted with.
Finding her place in Ottawa, Renee became an integral part of the Manor Park neighbourhood. With an outgoing personality, a love of hosting get-togethers and Grey Cup parties with Tom, where the two pioneered many new drinks, Renee thrived in building a beautiful group of very close friends and neighbours. Whether it be dinner dances, house parties, Easter egg hunts or backyard recitals for her piano students, Renee always had a smile, a laugh and the best stories. In the last few years, Renee would often be seen stopped and chatting to everyone in Manor Park as she rolled in her wheelchair walking her sweet dog, Duchess. Relentlessly cheerful and always with an opinion, she offered guidance and friendship to all.
Although doctors diagnosed Renee with Multiple Sclerosis when she was in her twenties, she never believed that a disability would hold her back. She was fiercely determined not to let the disease slow her down. Her strength, determination, drive and hard work in dealing with this long-term condition is one of her most admired attributes by both family and friends. Not to be outdone by her children’s athletic abilities, Renee took up sit-skiing with Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS), waterskiing with Ski-ability and curling on the cusp of turning 50. After spending much of the fall 2022 in the hospital, Renee returned to the ski hill to bomb down the slopes.
Renee will always be remembered as an outgoing, fun loving, sassy, strong, intelligent woman with a bright smile and beautiful bold blue eyes. She will be dearly missed.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Friday, June 2nd, 2023, at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Ave. Ottawa, ON) from 5-7pm.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Renee’s name to CADS- Summit Edelweiss program https://www.cads-ncd.ca/contact-cads-ncd/donate/ , SkiAbility Ottawa http://www.skiabilityottawa.ca/ or the MS Society of Canada https://mscanada.ca/
Digital Guestbook
Janelle Gheyssen
Erin Lepine
Sincerest condolences from the Lepine family. Matthew was quite saddened to hear of your loss, as were we all. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
Michèle O'Da
What a wonderful, witty, funny, warm, welcoming woman she was.
Such a loss & how unfair life is sometimes. That woman taught me courage & she never knew about it. I am deaply grateful to her for that lesson.
To Tom & the boys, may you recover from her absence & the hole she left. Such a loss...
Tina, Ulysse and Wallace
Our deepest sympathies to you Tom, Will and John,
The world is truly a little darker from the loss of her light.
Renee was a beautiful, loving and witty person. I enjoyed every moment spent with her.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers
Katie Fraser
Renee was such an incredible human. She will be missed deeply by all who had the absolute pleasure of knowing her. I have many very fond memories of Renee. One of my favourites was the night she taught me how to drive her van followed by the evening Allison S and Renee tried to teach me how to play Crib; I was an awful student. I consider myself very lucky to have had the honour of knowing our unforgettable Renee. My deepest and most heartfelt sympathies Tom, Jon and Will. Your wife/mother will live on in the many memories we all have of her. Sending lots of love-Katie
Marie-France Laguë
Will and Jonathan,
My sincere condolences on the passing of your mom. She was a force of nature and I will always remember her helping with the many musicals at Manor Park, attending band concerts or encouraging you both at various events at school. She was always so proud of you.
Tom,
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Renee. My condolences for your loss.
Thinking of all of you in this difficult time
Sebastian Ramos
My sincere condolences to you Tom and your family. Praying for you and your family in this difficult time. Words cannot express the feelings felt when you lose your best friend and mom. Very sorry and hope you can celebrate the good times you had. God Bless.
Pauline van der Roest
So sorry to hear about the tragic passing of Renee. What an amazing woman she was. Despite her struggles with MS she had such a wonderful positive and powerful uplifting spirit. Hearing about her death last week was a big shock. Wishing her husband and children lots of strength while coping with the loss of wife and mother. I hope you will be surrounded with all the love you need to get you through this extremely difficult time. Thinking of you all. With love, Pauline
Fred Nieto
Tom,
I am deeply saddened to hear this news. Offering my condolences to you, the boys , and the Carleton family.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sending you lots of love from London, UK
The Nieto’s
Terry Cullinan
Tom, I am so sorry. I came upon this notice because I was thinking of reaching out to Renee. I enjoyed her company and a vivid memory is how delighted she was to become a mom. She had a great laugh too.
I never knew Renee, but I knew how important she was to Sherry and how special their relationship was. Jesse and I send out deepest sympathies to the families.