Carol Louise Musselman

Carol Louise Musselman, 80, of Toronto, Ontario, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2023. Born on June 9, 1943, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to Henry and Grace Musselman, Carol was a beacon of compassion, intellectual curiosity, and strength. Carol was Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, where she was a formidable researcher and teacher in deaf education at OISE. Carol attended Wheaton College as an undergraduate and was awarded a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Michigan. After retiring, Carol became a registered psychologist and practiced psychodynamic psychotherapy. Carol's life is a testament to resilience, having faced cancer three times. A dedicated matriarch and mentor, she served as both a psychological and spiritual guide to many, most intimately to her friends and family, who knew her to be a thoughtful, attentive listener. She married Peter Reich in 1967 and had two children, Adam and Athena Reich. In 1999, she married Donald Alexander Robertson, and his adult children, Jim and David Robertson and Kathy McIntyre, joined her family. Carol was an avid lover of the arts, having played piano, sung with numerous choirs, donated to the arts, and adored her children’s and grandchildren’s artistic accomplishments. She was a meditator and mystic, having enjoyed many retreats with the World Community of Christian Meditators. She was an enthusiastic world traveler and was always planning her next adventure with family and friends. Carol is survived by her children Adam and Athena Reich, her stepchildren Jim and David Robertson and Kathy McIntyre, her grandchildren Phoenix and Raven Reich, Victoria, Jake, and Ruby Robertson, and several close friends, including Fran Theodore, Carole Soliday, the community at Baldwin Street Lofts, and many, many more. She was preceded in death by her beloved Donald Alexander Robertson, her parents, her sister Jean Brobst, her niece Jenna Brobst, and her nephews Derek Brobst and James Skubish. One of Don’s last words to her was, “What I feel for you is deeper than love”. Her daughter Athena sang to her as she passed away, and her son Adam joined to perform the first rite of passage alongside his partner Anaïs and Athena's partner Alice. We invite family, friends, and those whose lives were touched by Carol to a memorial on Sunday, October 29, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at her residence in Toronto. It will be an informal, drop-in gathering to reminisce and share stories. An officiated ceremony is at 12:30 pm, led by Deacon Sherry Coman. Comfortable attire is encouraged for this alcohol-free event. Please RSVP for headcount and potluck contributions by following the link below. https://forms.gle/JAgnTD1yUfMmoAv68 Expressions of grief, condolences, and memories are most welcome here. In honouring Carol’s legacy, we hope her spirit inspires all to pursue greater truth and agency.