Raija-Leena Carow

Raija-Leena (Laine) Carow, 73, of Worcester, passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 in Saint Vincent Hospital. She is survived by her daughter, Liisa M. Shultz and her husband Paul of Oxford and their son, the light of her life, Andrew Shultz; a brother, Osmo Laine and his wife Leena; two sisters, her twin, Riitta-Liisa Nummela and her husband Hannu and Tarja Hkkinen and her husband Tapani, all in Finland; seven nieces and nephews, also in Finland and many close friends. Raija-Leena was born in Ikaalinen, Finland, daughter of Vin and Viena Laine. She graduated Hammenlina Seminar in Finland as a school teacher and taught in Finland before moving to Worcester in 1969. She received her Bachelor's Degree in 1979 and her Master's Degree in 1987, both from Worcester State College. She worked as a Program Coordinator for seventeen years at Community Healthlink in Worcester, before she retired in 2005. She had previously been a high school Home Economics teacher for Worcester Public and Millbury Public Schools. She so enjoyed the times spent with visiting family from Finland and always showed her warm hospitality. She took great pleasure in opening her home and welcoming all who came from her beloved homeland. Raija-Leena enjoyed spending time at the casino, traveling and the beautfiul flowers she tended in her yard. She loved her family, but especially enjoyed her grandson, Andrew, who lovingly referred to her as *Mumma*. Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 24, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 7 p.m., all occurring in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.