KINGSTON, Jamaica — Raphaelita Walker, mother of Jamaica’s sport minister, Olivia “Babsy” Grange, and Greater Toronto’s first black Mrs Santa Clause, is to be buried in her current hometown of Toronto, Canada on March 4.

Affectionately known as “Aunt Ralph”, she was a foundation member of the Jamaican Canadian Association, and a lifetime member of PACE Canada, the Project for Advancement of Childhood Education, which supports basic schools in Jamaica and Toronto.

She remained active in both organisations up to the time of her death.

She also received several awards during her lifetime, including the Prime Minister of Jamaica’s Medal of Appreciation for Excellence, and the 2013 African Canadian Achievement Awards of Excellence (ACAA).

She and her husband, Gifford, were the first Black Santa and Mrs Claus in the Greater Toronto area, a role they played for over 40 years.

She was known for ending each conversation with “love you”, and according to Grange, Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, “true to those words, she said goodbye on Valentine’s Day”.

Walker died peacefully, surrounded by family, on February 14, at her home in Toronto, Canada, two months after celebrating her 90th birthday.

Viewing will be on March 4 at 10:00 am followed by funeral services at 11:00 am at the Revival Time Tabernacle, 4340 Dufferin Street (South Finch Avenue), Toronto, and interment at the York Cemetery, 160 Beecroft Road, North York. A reception follows at the Jamaican Canadian Centre, 995 Arrow Road, Toronto.

A viewing is also scheduled for the Immanuel Baptist Church, 1100 Finch Avenue E, (at Don Mills) on March 3, and a tribute for Thursday, March 2 at the Jamaican Canadian Centre, 995 Arrow Road, Toronto.

Balford Henry