RAIKES, (MARY) JANET (nee CAMERON)

To family and friends,

“Aunt Jay” lived a remarkable life. Always interesting, caring, knowledgeable & engaging, she never wanted to be a burden and always thought of everyone else.

Janet was born and spent her pre-high school years in Foleyet Ontario, a Rail access only community south of Timmins. With her sister Betty Andrews, they knew -40 deg+ winters but loved their animals, including sled dogs, skiing and skating. Growing up surrounded by the pristine nature led Janet to being an early pioneer Environmentalist. After attending High School in Milton with Uncle Dick and Aunt Hattie McDuffie, Janet become a registered nurse through Toronto General Hospital’s program. Driven by a thirst for learning and a talent for engaging admissions staff, she entered into the University of Toronto where she graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Her compassion for disadvantaged peoples, led Janet to the W.H.O. where she was charged with establishing nursing schools in under-developed countries. This took her to remote areas such as Borneo, Ceylon, the Congo and the Sudan in the 1950s.

After falling in love, in 1958, she married her true love Bobby Raikes, a Walsh Hydrological Engineer, They moved to Colonna, Italy on the Alban Hills outside Rome. From this base, they could pursue their avid interest in Middle Eastern Archeology as well as Uncle Bobby’s Engineering Consulting business in the Middle East. They became great friends with Sir Mortimer Wheeler, recognized as one of Britain’s most important 20^th century archaeologists. Janet and Bobby spent many “Digs” throughout the Middle East and Pakistan, in which they had a particular interest. Bobby co-authored several papers with Sir Mortimer. Janet could speak fluent Italian and studied Italian and Etruscan history. Never a better guide could one have to tour current and ancient Italy.

After retirement Janet and Bobby moved to Wales where Bobby was born. They spent 8 years of catching up with family, friends and Ex-Pats from their years abroad. After Uncle Bobby passed in 1991, Janet moved back to Canada to be with her sister Betty and her family. She settled in the Wasaga Beach area and was a life-time member of the Bayshore Senior’s Club on Woodland Beach. Janet died quietly after a brief stay at the Campbell House Hospice in Collingwood. She was an avid reader to the end (a book a day) having read everything in the local libraries. She will be missed by everyone that she touched.

Janet leaves behind her step children, Tessa King-Farlow (Charles), Robert Raikes, Philip Raikes (d), nephew Rob Andrews (Robin) and niece June Sleigh plus many grandchildren and grand nephew/nieces.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date at the Bayshore Seniors in Woodland Beach.