Raylene Rankin, best known as part of Canada’s most loved Celtic family, The Rankins, passed away earlier this morning after a lengthy bout with breast cancer that started in 2001 and returned in 2009. In 2011 Raylene was diagnosed with liver cancer and despite aggressive chemotherapy, succumbed to the disease. She was 52 yrs old.
That latest cancer diagnosis led Rankin into a mid-life crisis, something she said she just started to get over in the spring (as told to CBC in an interview earlier this year)
“I’m at a place now where I guess I’m just content, I accept the roads I’ve taken and the roads not taken. And what I’ve come away from the whole experience with is an appreciation of all those things , all those gifts that have been given to me. My husband, my son, my family my very good friends, the career that I’ve had that I sort of fell into, just little things like the first crocuses of the spring, the spring light which is different than winter light. All those things I see as little diamonds,” said Rankin.
All the Diamonds is the title of Rankin’s latest solo CD that was released this year. It was her first solo CD in seven years. Rankin started her music career as a member of The Rankin Family in 1989.
The Rankin Family was together for ten years and sold more than 2 million records, won six Juno awards, three Canadian Country Music Awards and 15 East Coast Music Awards. In 1999 members of the group went their separate ways to pursue different interests. Their breakout hit was Fare Thee Well Love, but Raylene is best remembered by us for her stunning vocals on We Rise Again. Sadly, when we attended The Rankins concert earlier this year in Kelowna, Raylene was absent due to her chemo treatments. She will be missed. Raylene is survived by her husband and her son.
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