Passed away suddenly and peacefully in Ottawa on January 5, 2023, at her family home. She was 93 years old. Born in Saskatoon on September 2 1929, the daughter of Dmytro Yanda and Doris Elizabeth Kanasewich, she was raised in Edmonton, where she married New Zealander and geologist William (Bill) Fyson in 1954. After living in England for several years, the couple moved to Regina, then settled in Ottawa in 1961. She lived a very full life as a university lecturer (UOttawa), researcher in microbiology, mentor, life-long student, avid traveller and camper, gardener, music-lover, swimmer, skier, skater, extraordinary cook and family keystone. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, William, and their children Karen, Maurice (Liz), and Donald (Sovita). She also leaves behind grandchildren Shannon (Adam), Tim (Van), Ethan (Rachelle), Devon, Vincent (Alice), Jasper (Veronika) and Sacha, and great-grandsons Arthur, Henry, Kit, Nathan, and Kellen. A memorial service will be held at a later date, with details to be announced. Please send donations in her name to Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières.
Cacher
I knew Raina through our involvement with the Stanier Institute, which was an organization dedicated to a better understanding of disease agents and how they spread. She was on the Board, active in organizing and attending our technical meetings which we held across Canada over man years. One meeting I attended in Ottawa and she arranged a reception at her family's house for all the speakers and Stanier board members. She was very supportive and encouraging in all our activities.