Jean Raff OBITUARY

Jean Raff OBITUARY

JEAN (“RED”) RAFF was born on SEPT. 20, 1924 and died peacefully on AUG 5, 2024, one month short of 100 years of life.

Jean was a native New Yorker, born in the Bronx, to Joseph and Rose Dangler. She was the older sister of Captain Edward Dangler, Esq., presently 95 years old and residing in California. She was a precocious student, skipping two grades, and enrolling in Hunter College at the age of 16, graduating with a degree in sociology.

She married Melvin Raff at the age of 26, and their loving relationship lasted for 56 years, until Mel’s death (aged 89, in 2007.) They had three children— Dr. Barry (Micki), Eric (Mari), and Robin. They were her pride and joy. She also had three grandchildren— Josh, Rachel and Ali, as well as two step grandchildren— Jason (Sandy) and Bethany (Jeff). In addition, there are six step great-grandchildren. She loved them all and was very devoted to them.

After raising their family in Yonkers, NY, Jean and Mel relocated to Florida where Jean worked for 14 years, from 1977 to 1991, for the City of Miami Police Department where she received a special commendation from the mayor for distinguished service for her “professionalism and outstanding performance.” Post retirement, Jean and Mel went on many enjoyable cruises to various countries, always returning with interesting stories about the different sights and meals they enjoyed.

Jean seemed ageless, driving until the age of 95. She was often the neighborhood chauffeur, driving her friends to their desired destination. She loved her weekly games of Mah Jong and Canasta and regularly read the New York Times, both for the news and for the Society pages and cultural interest stories. She loved watching tennis (her grandson Josh was a nationally ranked Division 1 college player), as well as the Oscars, Tonys and Emmy broadcasts. Jean also enjoyed Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Her prodigious memory and vast knowledge were admired by all. Winning the Lakes of Delray Jeopardy contest, when already in her 90s, was no surprise.

Her most recent passion was Words with Friends, often playing simultaneously with up to 25 players, generally beating them all handily. Her son, Dr. Barry, refused to play her, saying, only half-jokingly— “I do not want to lose to a 99-year-old!”

Aside from her intellectual prowess, she was described as “feisty,” a “spitfire,” and “spirited.” To her family, she was kind, loving and fiercely devoted as they were to her. We will all greatly miss the intelligence, wit, humor, and feistiness of this Force of Nature. We will love her forever and know that life will not be the same without her.

A funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at Kraeer Funeral Home and Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 200 W. Copans Rd., Pompano Beach, Fl 33064. A Celebration of Life get-together (Shiva) in honor of Jean will be held at the Lakes of Delray clubhouse on Monday, August 19th from 10 a.m.–2:00 p.m.