Shirley Ann Raffle

Shirley Ann Raffle (formerly Leavens, nee Currie) died on Sunday, June 28, 2026 at Burnaby General Hospital in the presence of family. She was born in Chilliwack on January 31, 1933 in such a huge snow storm that the doctor had to arrive at their house in a stone bolt (horse drawn sled). Her parents were Mildred (nee Thompson) and Austin Currie and she was named after the child actress, Shirley Temple.

Shirley and her younger brother, Gordie, lived much of their young life at their Nana’s family farm on Ashwell Road in Chilliwack. They also lived for a time at Boundary Bay and Cultus Lake. She attended Robertson, Central and Chilliwack Senior High as well as a one room school in Boundary Bay.

Shirley’s first job was working at the Cultus Lake the Pavilion, and later the Parks Board and the Cultus Lake Post Office. After marrying Dan Leavens, Shirley moved to Garden Bay on the Sunshine Coast where they had two daughters, Barbara and Kathy. From there they moved back to Cultus Lake and their third daughter, Nancy, was added to the family.

Staying home to raise her family she worked as a hostess for Royal Welcome and then worked many years as an administrator at a dental office in Chilliwack. Her memory was exceptional and she knew every patient’s telephone number by heart.

After moves to North Vancouver, Haida Gwaii and again to Chilliwack, Shirley met and married Bob Raffle and moved into Promontory Estates where she lived many happy years making wonderful friends, golfing, playing bridge, being active in the Cultus Lake OAP and participating in the Red Hats (ladies club). Not long after Bob’s death she relocated to Garrison Crossing before moving to her final home at Swedish Canadian Assisted Living in Burnaby, near family. Shirley happily lived at Swedish Assisted Living for 3 years, participating in all their fun activities and being visited frequently by her family.

Shirley loved baking, playing cards (especially bridge and crib) and traveling. But her greatest love was her family. She liked nothing more than being up to date on everything her daughters, sons-in-law, grand kids and great grand kids were up to. She even knew what each of her family member’s friends were doing. Her address book was bulging with numbers, names and birthdates of family, friends and even passing acquaintances. Everyone made it into her address book and she took it with her wherever she traveled.

Shirley leaves behind her daughters: Barb Presseau (John), Kathy Parsons (Bob) and Nancy Howden (Alex). She also leaves behind 5 grandchildren: Devon, David (Joanna), Emily (Thomas), Reece and Jesse (Cayden) plus 4 great grandchildren (Zachary, Thaydn, Asher and Aidan…and a new baby Howden who will arrive this September). She is predeceased by her brother, Gordie Currie, two husbands (Dan Leavens and Bob Raffle) and one grandson, Doug Presseau.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Swedish Assisted Living (and Dr. Pesantes) for their good care of mom during her life there. Also, thanks to Burnaby General ACE staff for their compassion during Shirley’s final week of life.

The family will celebrate Shirley’s life in a family gathering this summer.