Alina Aguiar
elevated dqEJF August 17, 1938 ~ July 5, 2024
elevated dqEJF Visitation
Friday, July 19, 2024 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m.
Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6
elevated dqEJF Funeral Mass
Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
Chapel of St. Joseph at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6
elevated dqEJF Click here to view the Mass
elevated dqEJF Cremation
To be held in private
elevated dqEJF Reception
Following Mass
elevated dqEJF Obituary
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Alina Melania Aguiar, a devoted sister, loving aunt, dedicated teacher, and cherished friend, on July 5, 2024 at the age of 85. Alina was born on August 17, 1938, in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, East Africa to Francisco and Delphina Aguiar. She grew up with a passion for learning and a natural inclination to help others. After graduating from St Joseph’s convent school in Dar Es Salaam, she pursued her dream of becoming a teacher and completed her teacher’s training in Nairobi, Kenya. It is because of Alina leading the way here that our family are proud Canadians. After arriving in Canada, Alina continued her studies at University of Toronto and York University, earning her degree in Education.
elevated dqEJF For over 35 years, Alina made a lasting impact as an elementary school teacher, teaching many grades and subjects, including English as a Second Language, and finally ending her career as a Kindergarten teacher. Her dedication to her students earned her the admiration and respect of colleagues, parents, and students alike. She believed in the potential of every child and worked tirelessly to inspire a love of learning in each of her students. She was a tough teacher but underneath that exterior she cared so deeply about the students she taught. She will especially be missed by her sister and best friend, Greta. They may have lived separately, but they spent every waking minute together. They had a unique and special bond that only a few were lucky enough to experience in a lifetime. Although Alina never married or had children of her own, she found immense joy and fulfillment in her role as an aunt. She was like a second mother to her nieces, Vanessa, Emily, and Glynis and treated her grand-nieces and nephews, Jasmine, Jaden, Ava and Liam like her own grandchildren. Alina spent countless hours with them, sharing her love of reading, taking them to the park and playing with them. She has left an indelible impact on them and they will greatly miss her presence in their lives.
elevated dqEJF Alina was an active member in her community and church organizations and participated in several seniors clubs, enjoying her weekly activities of playing bridge, truque and bingo. Her generous spirit and kind heart touched the lives of many. Alina is survived by her sister Greta, her brother Liberto (Daphne), her beloved nieces and nephew Vanessa (Paul), Emily, Glynis (Shannon), Natasha (Sean) and Ryan, her cherished “grandchildren” Jasmine, Jaden, Ava and Liam, and many dear friends and colleagues. She is preceded in death by her parents, Francisco and Delphina, and her brother-in-law Soco.
elevated dqEJF A special thank you to all the staff at Chartwell Oak Ridges Retirement Residence for making Alina’s last few months as enjoyable as possible and to Hill House Hospice in Richmond Hill for providing such wonderful, supportive care to Alina and her family in the last few days. In lieu of flowers and in loving memory of Alina, the family requests that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Hill House Hospice.
elevated dqEJF Visitation will be held on Friday, July 19th from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home. A celebration of Alina’s life will be held on Saturday, July 20th at 10:30am at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home, 211 Langstaff Rd E, Thornhill, ON L3T 3Z2, with a reception to follow.
elevated dqEJF Alina’s kindness, generosity, and unwavering dedication to her family and students will be deeply missed. Her legacy of love and education will live on in the many lives she touched.
elevated dqEJF
We too will miss Alina. May she Rest In Peace.
We got to know you later in life, Alina. We will miss your lovely smile and beautiful words of friendship wherever we met. May you walk with our Father in peace on your eternal heavenly journey.
Alina was an active member of the community. Along with her sister Greta their involvement helped shape the great area we live in called Pleasant View. She always had time to stop and say hello and will be missed by all her neighbours
May she rest in peace and free from the pain and suffering of cancer. May she always be looking down on her family. She will be greatly missed.
May her soul rest in peace. It was great to know her at the FX club. My condolences to Greta and all family members
Heartfelt sympathy to the family.
Rest in Peace !
Through this message, we extend our most sincere condolences to the family. May these words lighten your pain. Our prayers accompany you in this terrible moment. May her soul rest in peace!!!
My sincere condolences to all the family on losing Alina. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, let Perpetual light shine upon her & may her soul rest in peace in the Lord’s house forever
Dearest Greta, Liberto & Daphine and respective families.
We are very saddened and shocked to hear of the sad passing away of your loving sister/sister-in-law/aunty Alina. Please accept our deepest heartfelt and sincerest condolences.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Aguiar families. We pray to the Almighty Lord to give you all courage, strength and support. God bless her soul. Love and Peace.
Yours in sorrow.
Stay Safe
Peter & Irene De Albuquerque and Family
Condolences to you Greta, Liberto/Daphne and family. Alina was joined at the hip to you Greta and a will be a big empty space for you and all the rest of the family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. Sympathies and love
My Sincere condolences to Greta, Liberto/Daphne and rest of the family.
Although I went to St. Xavier’s School in Dar-es-Salaam, I got to know Alina much later when we went to picnics with a group across the Ferry. She was a very pleasant person with always a smile on her face, a beacon of warmth and strength.
I recall one time when I was learning to play Bridge during one of Stan’s trips, she was so kind as my opponent, (I now realize it was the “teacher” in her) that inspired me to be patient and not give up and that only practice would teach me to become more confident.
May she Rest in Peace and May her Memory be a Blessing.
My deepest condolences to you and your family Greta
Alina may you Rest in peace
Maria June D’Souza
Our deepest sympathies n condolences to Greta, Liberty, Daphne and families. Immigrating to Toronto n meeting in person the Aguiar family was the best blessing as relatives of our family. They were always ready to support mentor assist n guide us to get settled. Alina made time n thru het efforts taught us many a ways. Her advices were clear to the point n very informative. She would go out of the way to bring smiles. She enjoyed a good coffee or some salty treats. Always a pillar n strength for the family. Greta n herself were always admired as sisters glued together wherever they went or did. Thank you Alina n you will be missed n remembered many a times. Alina you served well and pray you are blessed with our heavenly home and may you rest in peace. Alina please pray we continue our journey with the lord thru his will n path.
R.I.P.Alina. Sincere condolences to all your family.
May Alina soul rest in peace
Our sympathies to all her family
Our sympathies to all her family. May Alina’s soul rest in peace.
Our condolences to all of the family. Greta will surely miss her a lot. May Alina’s soul rest in peace, where pain and suffering cannot touch her any more.
Greta… Our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family during this challenging time. Alina was so proud of your girls and took great pride and pleasure in entertaining her grandchildren. She will be dearly missed as a neighbour on our street.
Dear Greta, Our deepest sympathies and condolences to you and your family on the passing of your dearest sister and friend Alina. We are sorry we could not attend in person as we have been out of the country. You are all in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult loss. May Alina’s soul rest in peace.
Carmelita and Peter D’Souza
Dear Greta,
We were very sorry to hear about the passing away of your sister Alina. Our deepest condolences to you and all the family. May her soul rest in peace.
Joey and Veronica Mascarenhas