It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Ermelinda Amaral Costa at the age of ninety-one. Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, she will be missed immensely by her family. She has been received into the loving arms of God, where she is now reunited with her dear husband José and beloved ones. Ermelinda is survived by her children Joe (Dora), Fernando (Cidalia), Gail (Donald) and Mike (Silvia); her grandchildren, Deborah, Andrew, Tabitha, Nathan, Mason, Tyler, Billy, Victoria, and Sienna; and her great grandchildren Celina, Bianca, Joey, Lorenzo and Gabriella.

Ermelinda was born in Ribeira Quente, Azores, Portugal, to Violente de Jesus Amaral and Manual de Amaral. She immigrated to Canada in 1960 with her two children, Joe, age 3 and Fernando, 9 months old to meet with her husband José, who had immigrated a year earlier to secure a job and a place to live to start their new life. They had two more children, Gail and Mike who were born in Canada. While in Canada, Mom worked in the housekeeping department at the Windsor Arms Hotel. Our mother enjoyed her time working there where she established life-long friendships. We fondly remember the amazing Christmas parties at the hotel.

She was the youngest amongst her siblings; Maria de Jesus, Idalina, Maria da Conceição, Antonia, Gilda and Manual. Ermelinda was a devoted Grandmother, and her grandchildren would call her, vavo (avó). Having been brought up with strong values, she worked tirelessly during her life to provide for her family.

Throughout her life, she maintained a strong faith in God and devotion to her church. Ermelinda loved to sing, especially limericks and various religious songs, which her mother taught her. She kept on singing until the very end. Mom also loved to garden. She worked for hours everyday tending to her roses, hydrangeas, and vegetable garden. Mom loved to bake and passed on her Portuguese baked goods recipes to her grandchildren. She loved to tell stories about her upbringing in Portugal that shaped who she was in adulthood. She will be deeply missed by her extended family, friends and all those that knew her to be a loving, giving and gracious person.

Our family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude and thanks to the wonderful care workers from Peel Senior Link and SRT who provided mom’s care over the years.

Ermelinda, you will always be in our hearts; heaven has gained another angel.

A visitation will be held at Turner & Porter Peel Chapel, 2180 Hurontario St. (Hwy 10 N. of QEW) on Monday from 2-4 & 5-8 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held Cristo Rei Roman Catholic Church, 3495 Confederation Pkwy. (at Central Parkway W.) on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 10 am. Ermelinda will be laid to rest at Assumption Catholic Mausoleum.

For those who wish, donations may be made in the memory of Ermelinda Amaral Costa to Alzheimer’s Canada. www.Alzheimer.ca.
We sincerely appreciate your thoughts and prayers as you share in our sorrow at this time. Online condolences and donations may be made through this website.