Raylene Marguerite Rankin-Anderson

Rankin Anderson, Raylene Marguerite - 52, Halifax and Mabou, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on September 30, 2012 after living courageously with cancer for over 11 years. Born in Inverness, Cape Breton, NS, she was one of twelve children of the late Alexander Joseph (Buddy) Rankin and the late Kathleen Darthia (Wright) Rankin. She is survived by her loving husband and soul mate, Colin and the love of her life, her son Alexander Colin; brothers and sisters, Genevieve (Jake) Fakoory, California; David (Lorraine) Rankin, Long Point, NS; Paul (Kathleen) Rankin, Sudbury, ON; Ronnie (Clare) Rankin, Mabou, NS; Jimmy (Mia) Rankin, Tennessee; Carol (Cookie) Rankin (George) Massenburg, Tennessee; Susan (Franck) Weber, Singapore; Heather Rankin (James) Mac Innis, Halifax, NS; Nancy Rankin, Calgary, AB ; Great Aunt Susan Wright of Mull River, NS; sister-in-law Sally Rankin, Antigonish, NS; brother-in-law Seamus Coyne, DeWinton, AB; mother-in-law Margery Anderson, Berwick, NS; many nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts and countless friends. Raylene was also predeceased by brother John Morris Rankin; sister Geraldine Rankin Coyne and father-in-law Rodrick (Ross) Anderson.

Raylene graduated from Mabou Consolidated School in 1978, St. Francis Xavier University (Bachelor of Arts) in 1982 and Dalhousie Law School (Bachelor of Law) in 1987. She was admitted to the Bar in 1988.

Raylene had three great loves in life; her family, her friends and music.

Starting at a very young age, she shared her musical talents singing at countless community events and church services in Mabou and throughout Cape Breton. She pursued her love and passion for music as a full time singer, songwriter and entertainer in The Rankin Family musical group established with four of her siblings in 1989. In 1997, she recorded a collection of Christmas songs with her sisters Heather and Cookie and, for many years, toured the country celebrating the Christmas season with stories and song. In addition, she had been involved in numerous musical endeavors including two solo albums, Rankin Family reunion tours and collaborations with musicians Susan Crowe and Cindy Church.

Among the successes, gifts and achievements in her life, Raylene felt they all paled in comparison to the gift of her son, “her little man” Alexander. In 1999, she took leave from the Rankin Family to enjoy precious time raising her son.

She loved to receive family and friends at home where she relished in preparing numerous meals and cups of tea accompanied by good cheer and conversation. She gave generously of her time and talents and was always ready to lend her voice in support of family, friends and community. Raylene maintained deep connections with her hometown of Mabou and often visited the Red Shoe Pub in Mabou which she co-owned and operated with her sisters.

The family would like to express sincere thanks to the Palliative Care team at the Victoria General Hospital, the Victorian Order of Nurses, Dr. Daniel Rayson, Helen Searle, Dr. A. Jayabarathan, Dr. Dorianne Rheaume, Dr. Stephen Beed and Dr. Peter MacDougall for their exceptional care and compassion.

Colin and Alexander are especially grateful to Cathie Ross, Dr. Barbara Parish, and Dr. Simone Abbass, for their friendship, love and compassion shown to Raylene throughout the years.

Raylene's family and friends are grateful for the legacy of love and music she has left. She was particularly fond of the song “Rise Again”, often identified as her signature song, written by fellow Cape Breton native, Leon Dubinsky. She felt privileged to be the voice of this song “about hope, looking to the future and looking to our children.”

That as sure as the sunrise

As sure as the sea

As sure as the wind in the trees


We rise again in the faces of our children

We rise again in the voices of our song


We rise again in the waves out on the ocean

And then we rise again” (Rise Again)

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 2:00pm at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church, 1725 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS with reception to follow in the Church hall. A second funeral service will be held on October 5, 2012 at 2:00 pm at St. Mary's Church in Mabou, NS with reception to follow in the Mabou Community Hall.

Interment to follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Mabou.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Raylene's memory can be made to St. Mary's Cemetery c/o St. Mary's Parish, PO Box 69, Mabou, NS. B0E 1X0 or The Hillsborough Pioneer Cemetery c/o Treasurer Leonard Tobey, St. John’s Pastoral Charge, Port Hood, NS BOE 2W0

To place online condolences, please visit: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com