Raisa Svirinovski

Dr. Raisa Svirinovski, 94, of Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada passed away peacefully on Friday, August 2, 2024. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends. Raisa was born on November 7th, 1929 in Fashpolsk Ukraine, U.S.S.R to Noah and Dvoira Fuks. She was the third of five children, and her parents and siblings have preceded her in death.

Raisa and her family faced many hardships and challenges while she was growing up in the U.S.S.R and especially later as they fought to survive during the harsh conditions brought on by World War II. Raisa’s strength and resilient nature as a child laid the foundation for a career as an outstanding neurologist in Moscow. Raisa believed that hard work and education were essential, and she proved this when she graduated in 1953 from the prestigious First Moscow Medical Institute. She completed her residency in neurology in 1964 at the First City Hospital in Moscow. During this time, she married her fellow medical student, Dr. Jacob Svirinovski, and she gave birth to their daughter, the light of her life, Alla.

Dr. Raisa Svirinovski became one of the leading experts in the field of neurology. She was highly regarded by her peers, and her expertise was sought by many patients. The pinnacle of her career occurred when she headed the Department of Neurology at the Diagnostic Hospital #41 in Moscow, a major diagnostic hospital in the U.S.S.R. She also worked as a neurologist on staff at the prestigious Moscow State University.

In the early 1990s, as the Cold War was coming to an end, Raisa immigrated to Israel with her daughter’s family. While she was in Israel she continued with her medical career. She completed residency and learned a new language. In 1994, she immigrated to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She retired from medicine and remained a huge presence in the lives of her family. She made friends easily in Vancouver. She was a gifted networker. Everyone she met felt at ease in her presence. She helped friends and family find jobs, apartments, and even spouses.

Raisa was an avid reader, a life-long student of history, and she loved fine arts. She read poetry, attended operas and plays, and traveled the world. She also watched news channels and was always up to date on world events. She was a fan of the quiz show Jeopardy, and she loved movies with Harrison Ford.

Raisa’s main love in life was her family. She referred to her family as the ‘lights’ of her life. The ‘lights’ she leaves behind are her daughter, Dr. Alla Nikonova, and her husband Andrey; her granddaughter, Dr. Olga Falmier, and husband Matt; great-grandson Martin Falmier, and great-granddaughter Hope Falmier. She also leaves behind her special adoptive family Olga Kanariov and husband Rod, along with Olga and Rod’s children Katia and Konstantine.

Raisa believed in the power of prayer. Let us pray “Dear God, we lift up Raisa in prayer as we remember her life and the love she shared with those around her. Please bring comfort and peace to those who mourn her loss, and may they find hope in your promise of eternal life. Amen.”