Antonina (Nena) Hilum Aban

Antonina (Nena) Aban passed away on March 21, 2026, at Burnaby Hospital, Burnaby, BC, Canada at the age of 93. Nena was born in Wright, Samar, Philippines, where she was also brought up. When she finished high school, she moved to Manila to start her life as a seamstress. It is in Manila where she met Arcadio Aban, Sr. Arcadio would then become her lifetime partner. They brought up their family in Manila and then moved to Canada to join their eldest child. They moved to Canada in July 1993 with their 3 youngest children.

She was a devoted stay-at-home mother to 7 children. She made it her mission for her children to get good education, something she didn’t get. With limited financial means, she always found ways to make ends meet. She is the epitome of resilience and strength. She had weathered countless storms with grace and dignity. Nena knew what she wanted, and no one could make her do anything she didn’t want to do. She was fierce, yet gentle and caring. She was also the best grandmother to her 13 grandchildren! Nena’s greatest joy came from seeing her children and grandchildren!

She was a seamstress and she was so good at it! Her daughters, especially, were so lucky to grow up wearing dresses made by her! She even made their wedding gowns! And she made beautiful dresses for her granddaughters, as well.

Nena is what she was called by her friends and relatives. She loved to cook, and she wasn’t the type to follow recipes. And she loved cooking for her children whenever she got the chance, during their visits, or when she was visiting them. She loved flowers, especially orchids! One of her mantras was to not waste anything.

Throughout Nena’s entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God. She loved engaging in church activities, staying actively involved, and holding various volunteer roles in church.

Later in life, she struggled with dementia. It was a harsh reminder of life’s fragility. But even when her memory started to fail her, she remembered all her children’s names. And even then, she still managed to express love in the softest of smiles. She left a legacy of unconditional love, and the courage to face each day with grace, regardless of the challenges.

Nena was predeceased by her husband Arcadio Aban. She is survived by her children Eduardo (Joanne) Aban, Ricardo (Evelyn) Aban, Cynthia (Lance) Wilkinson, Ma. Sofia Aban, Carmelita (Kevin) Garbutt, Wilma (Tom) Putt, and Arcadio Aban Jr. She leaves behind 13 grandchildren Talitha, Bethany, Yorick, Yvette, Eleanor, Angelique, Paolo, Troy, Alicia, Gabriela, Carissa, Takara, and Theodore.

Thankful for her endless love, her boundless strength, and the reminder that even when the mind falters, the heart’s memory endures forever. She will be greatly missed by her family. She will forever be in their hearts.