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Heather Ann RAFF

1939 - 2022

Heather Ann RAFF obituary, 1939-2022

BORN

1939

DIED

2022

Heather RAFF Obituary

HEATHER ANN RAFF (nee Burton) Passed away on July 7, 2022, at her home in Toronto. Heather was born in 1939 and raised in Abbotsford, BC, then a small agricultural community outside Vancouver, attended the University of British Columbia, met her husband, Anton Raff, and moved to Montreal where she completed her MA and Ph.D. in English at McGill University as a Canada Council Scholar. Forgoing a traditional academic career to raise her sons in Montreal, Saskatoon, and Toronto, she made her mark both personally and professionally. She taught high school in Toronto (including many years at St. Joseph's College School as Head of Counseling), Saskatoon, Montreal, Italy, and Hong Kong, and taught university (most recently online through Queen's University), she also presented papers at academic conferences, and published articles, while always being there for her family. Heather was indomitable. She worked hard, loved deeply, thought profoundly, gave generously, believed strongly in human dignity, and maintained a quiet but reverent faith. She played an outsized role in the lives of those fortunate enough to know her, including her family, her friends, her colleagues, and her students. She showed us all that one person could make a difference. She is survived by her sons, Michael and Paul; her granddaughters, Zarina, Maya, Grace, and Sofia; her sister, Adrienne; her former husband, Anton; and many more family members in Vancouver, Victoria, and Great Britain. We miss you Mom/Grandma/Auntie/Heather. A memorial service will be held in Toronto, and a funeral service will be held at St. James' Anglican church in Vancouver. Donations to the Terry Fox Foundation or one's charity of choice.

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Published by The Globe and Mail from Jul. 23 to Jul. 27, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
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15 Entries

Carla E. Read

December 31, 2022

We are so sorry to hear of Heather´s passing. We always looked forward to our correspondence at Christmas and without a letter this year, wondered what had happened. We got to know Heather, Anton, and her children while living in Saskatoon. We last saw her in Toronto and at our daughter´s wedding in BC a few years ago. She was such a lovely gracious and accomplished person. It was always so interesting to talk to her and we so much appreciated her friendship throughout the years. Rest In Peace dear friend.
Love, Carla and Doug Read

Kerrie Fulton

August 10, 2022

So sorry to hear about Heathers passing. Heather was one of those lovely quiet angels that made such an impact in my life.. always a positive word and just kind kind person.. happy to have met you. (Taught Sunday School at COTM) xoxo sending love and light to family

adrienne burton

August 6, 2022

I feel a piece of myself has been torn out at the loss of my sweet little sister Heather ("Hay-do")
Her ever-loving Timmy

Cluster of 50 Memorial Trees

Doris & Peter Bietenholz

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MARIANA GRINBLAT

July 28, 2022

I believe I met her at the Academy and she seemed lovely. Sorry for her loss and much fortitude for the family, Mariana R. Grinblat

The Kitz family

July 26, 2022

Ava and I are both so sad to hear of Heather's passing. Heather was certainly an exceptional woman; warm, kind, erudite. She always showed a keen interest in those around her. We will miss her kind smile and her genuine warmth.
from Ava, Harry, Sarah, Simon and Paul.

Single Memorial Tree

Jenny Jongstra-Bilen

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Karyn O'Neill

July 24, 2022

Hello: Heather and I met as members of a fabulous bookclub, here in mid town Toronto. I appreciated her wisdom, thoughtfulness, and caring manner. One example: she was so gracious explaining the fabulous Christmas model train to my granddaughter- she was 2 at the time! I treasured our time together ...frequent coffees including our last one, in the Granite Place garden.

If there is a service to celebrate her life, could I be advised?

Sympathies

Karyn O´Neill

Dolly Kao

July 24, 2022

I met Heather when I became her neighbor in December 2006. Over the years, we shared many experiences and she grew to become one of my dearest friends.

She was so kind, caring, thoughtful, supportive, generous, gracious, and loving. She was also optimistic, positive, brave, intelligent, loyal, and fiercely independent. She was always there for me and always offering to lend a helping hand. Even following her operation, she was offering to help me walk my dog!

I admired and loved her very much. Words cannot express how much I miss her.

Here's a picture of Heather and me at my home on April 21, 2022. We were celebrating Heather's 83rd birthday.

Andrea

July 23, 2022

Andrea

July 23, 2022

Andrea

July 23, 2022

Here are the last photos I took of Heather, at her home, in March of this year.
Dear Heather, constant friend, we will miss you so much. xox

Mara Bolotta

July 23, 2022

So very sad to hear about Heather's passing. She was a kind and gentle person. She was always ready to listen and participate in whatever we were planning.
She was always the voice of reason and tried to resolve issues in a just and fair way. Always well respected by staff and students. There was a time when I has so many deaths in my family. I could always count on her kindness and support. I remember she showed up at all events even if it was just for a short period of time. God bless her and my she rest in peace.

Elvira Serpa

July 23, 2022

May she Rest In Peace. I was very lucky to know her when I was a student at at St. Joseph´s, she always offered good advice sprinkled with some humor.

Gail Shaw

July 23, 2022

My sincere sympathy to her family and all those who loved Heather. We worked together so many years ago at St. Joseph´s college school and after we always managed to enjoy wonderful talks any time we met in later years. I was always aware of and amazed by Heather´s diversity in her education, career and conversation. She has always been a very special person.

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