Raphaelita Walker – Community Tribute

OBITUARY –

Raphaelita Walker (nee McLean) passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 14, 2017 at her home in Toronto, Canada, two months after celebrating her 90th birthday. Beloved wife of Gifford Walker and loving mother to Olivia Grange-Walker and Denzil Walker, and many adopted children. She was also a grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother aunt and grand-aunt to many.

Affectionately called Aunt Raph, she was a foundation member of the Jamaican Canadian Association, and a lifetime member of PACE Canada – Project for Advancement of Childhood Education – that supports basic schools in Jamaica and Toronto. She remained active in both organizations until her passing.

Mrs. Walker has been a recipient of several awards including the Prime Minister of Jamaica’s medal of appreciation for excellence and the 2013 African Canadian Achievement Awards of Excellence (ACAA).

Raphaelita and her husband Gifford were the first Black Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Greater Toronto area — a role they played for over 40 years.

She was known for ending each conversation with “love you” and true to those words, she said ‘good bye’ on Valentine’s Day.

Scheduled activities in her honor:

March 2

JCA Community Tribute @ 6:00pm

Jamaican Canadian Centre, 995 Arrow Road, Toronto ON (Hwy 400/Finch)

March 3

Visitation/Viewing @ 2:30pm – 5pm & 7pm – 9pm

Immanuel Baptist Church, 1100 Finch Avenue E, (at Don Mills) Toronto

March 4

Viewing @ 10 am & Funeral Services @ 11am

RevivalTime Tabernacle – 4340 Dufferin Street, Toronto ON (south of Finch Avenue)

Interment at York Cemetery, 160 Beecroft Road, North York

Reception follows at the Jamaican Canadian Centre, 995 Arrow Road, Toronto

No floral tributes. Donations in aid of the Raphaelita Walker Care Foundation.

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