Florence “Bernice” Raffle
April 26, 1924 ~ December 16, 2013
It is with great sadness the family of Bernice Raffle (nee Carruthers) announce her quiet passing on December 16, 2013 at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital with her family at her side, after years of struggling with heart problems.
Born on April 26, 1924 in Nanaimo, BC the daughter of Miriam (nee Maki) and Robert Carruthers. She was married on December 13, 1947 to her husband, Jim Raffle who predeceased her in December 1990. Although an only child, Bernice loved her large extended family and their yearly get-togethers keeping them up to date on the family.
Bernice was a member of the Nanaimo Museum who enjoyed talking about the history of this town; that her family had played a part in the Chase River, Southend and Brechin areas and the life-long friends she made. Always referring to herself as a coal miner’s granddaughter/daughter she was proud of the fact that 6 generations of both sides of her family had lived in Nanaimo. As a 44 year member of Branch #10 Legion LA earning the Certificate of Merit and Golden Jubilee medal for her services to the branch; she was also a former CGG leader known to many Brownies as “Fluffy Owl.”
As the consummate soccer mom for many years, she was a hardworking supporter of her husband, children and grandchildren’s endeavours, plus the co-convenor of the three Pygmy-Odd-fellows dance reunions and the Brechin School Reunion. Her working years were spent at David Spencers and Canada Safeway as a grocery clerk where she enjoyed chatting with her customers.
Bernice is survived by her loving daughter, Joyce (Murray) Wenner; son, Robert (Lynne) Raffle; 4 grandchildren: Kari (Clint) O’Hara Nanaimo, Kristopher (Barb) Raffle Vancouver, Kimberlee Wenner, Victoria and Carly Wenner Vancouver; plus 1 great-grandson, Niall O’Hara - the light of her life. Also left to mourn are her three godchildren: Donald Marks, Gordon Pilling and Kim Wilson, plus numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Always feisty and independent, Bernice managed to stay in her family home till ill health necessitated the recent move to Lakeside Gardens where she lived until her passing.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff, of Central Drugs; Doctors R. Swain, N. Janssen, and K. King; plus Lakeside Gardens and the attendants for all their help over the years.
There will be no funeral as per her request but a celebration of her life will be held later in the new year. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the NRGH Hospital Foundation or the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Cremation arrangements by the First Memorial Society.