Merleen Elizabeth Rafters

With great sadness we announce that on July 1st, 2026, our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Cousin & Friend, Merleen Elizabeth Mcaulay-Rafters passed away suddenly in her home at Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, 11 days before her 83rd birthday.

Merleen will be lovingly remembered by her children: Lee Hodgins, Arthur Hodgins (Karla McKee), stepdaughter Sandra Rafters-Taylor (Shane Taylor) & stepson Nick Rafters (Suzanne Rafters); grandchildren, Jaden Hodgins & Ben Hodgins and step grandchildren Olivia, Shane & Madeline Taylor & Tyahna, Kai, Josiah Maliyah & Kamea Rafters; brother, Archie Mcaulay & sister Marjorie Graham, as well as numerous cousins, relatives and friends.

Merleen was predeceased by her husband David Rafters; grandson Sam Hodgins; sisters Caroline Martin & Shirley Martin and her parents: Archibald Mcaulay & Ida German-Mcaulay.

Merleen was an avid nature lover and photographer and would spend many hours at Elk Island park, walking the trails & photographing the wildlife including the bison, elk, beavers & birds. She was a past member of the Fort Saskatchewan birding club, a past board member of her condominium association as well as a former volunteer for STARS Air Ambulance.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2pm on Tuesday July 21st, 2026 at First Memorial Funeral Services, Riverview Chapel 11090 86 Avenue Fort Saskatchewan Alberta T8L 4K6. The Memorial will be followed by a short internment at Fort Saskatchewan Cemetery.

Memorial Donations may be made in Merleen’s name to Stars Air Ambulance, Floor 2-1519 35 Avenue E, Edmonton International Airport, AB T9E 0V6.

780-890-3131

www.stars.ca

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the RCMP members at Fort Saskatchewan for their calm, professional & caring attention on July 1st, 2026.