RAFF, Heather Ann (nee BURTON) Raff - Passed away on July 7, 2022, at her home in Toronto.
Heather was born 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 PhD 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), 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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