Sidney Carol Domina

Sidney Carol Domina, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and trailblazer with a lifelong devotion to family, animals, and learning, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2025.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 2, 1932, to Helen and Dick Shelton, Sidney was the eldest of two daughters and grew up alongside her sister Sharae. Her father, a newspaper sports writer, recognized and encouraged Sidney's competitive spirit early on. She excelled in track and skating-often alongside the boys' teams-and was rarely seen without her beloved childhood dog, Cincinnati, by her side.

After grade school, Sidney attended the Toronto School of Art, nurturing her love of learning and creativity. Following her studies, she began working for a phone company, where a routine call turned into a life-changing connection. While helping a customer get connected for a call, Sidney caught the attention of Joseph Determann. That first conversation led to a first date-and, in 1953, to marriage.

Joseph's work as an electrical engineer with Square D Company brought the family to several cities across New York (Albany, Schenectady, Syracuse) and eventually to Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Together, they raised four children: Debra, Jody, Kurt, and Kris. After Joseph's passing in 1970, Sidney returned to the workforce in advertising and began to chart a new course for herself.

She later remarried James Domina, who served as president and CEO of Gilbarco, a subsidiary of Exxon/Mobil Oil, for more than 40 years. The two settled in Brockville, Ontario, along the banks of the St. Lawrence River in the scenic 1000 Islands. It was in Brockville that Sidney's lifelong love of dogs evolved into a true calling. She became an active member of the Canadian Bloodhound Club and co-founded the Canadian Bloodhound Journal, which she wrote from her dining room table. Over the years, Sidney built a respected reputation for raising, breeding, and showing Bloodhounds, Pekingese-including one that became Canada's Top Toy Dog-and later Shih Tzus. Her dedication, knowledge, and hands-on approach earned the admiration of dog breeders and enthusiasts across North America.

In 1986, Sidney and James relocated to Stuart, Florida, where Sidney worked as a real estate broker and later found joy working part-time at a local bookstore.

Sidney is survived by her four children: daughter Debra Determann (Stuart, Florida), daughter Jody Determann Easton (Brockville, Ontario), son Kurt Determann (wife Line, Palm City, Florida), and son Kris Determann (Tallahassee, Florida); seven grandchildren: Kathryne (husband Matthew, Atlanta, Georgia), Gretta (Atlanta, Georgia), Adelaide (Nashville, Tennessee), Andrew (his wife Stephanie, Toronto, Ontario), Kevin (Waterloo, Ontario), Kaijay (Stuart, Florida), and Shawna (her husband Nick, Port St. Lucie, Florida); and three great-grandchildren: Arlo, Clark, and Ellis (Toronto, Ontario).

In both her family life and pursuits beyond it, Sidney built a lasting legacy-raising four children and establishing a respected voice in the dog breeding world. She lived with intention, passion, and a generous spirit. Her legacy lives on in her family and in the countless lives she touched. She will be dearly missed.