Aili Minerva Topalian

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Aili Topalian, of Burnaby, BC, at the age of 98 years.

She was a light in every room and a lover of all of nature’s faces and designs. Known for humour, kindness, and common-sense views, she was welcoming of everyone; acceptance was at the heart of her. Except people who didn’t love Gordon Lightfoot puzzled her deeply.

Aili (née Rintanen) was born in Benalto, AB, on October 10, 1927 to Finnish parents Gustav and Aune. She was the eldest daughter and had one younger sister, Kerttu (Trudi). They grew up in the depression years, first on Gus’ and Aune’s farm near Sylvan Lake. There was a pig that played tag with them and a cat that turned pages with her paw when settled on one of the girls’ laps. The times were unkind to many though, and struggling with drought and devastating economic conditions, Gus brought the family to Vancouver in 1936. They moved to a house on stilts at the Burrard Inlet, today referred to as “Crabtown”, paying $50 for their two-room cabin. Aili and Trudi recalled their father bringing in fish, and Aili had many fond memories of travelling by row boat around the local waterways. With train tracks running just metres away from the community, mother Aune often shared her coffee and soup with a hungry hopeful riding the rails to the coast, trying for a new life.

Aili was a lifelong socialist and pacifist who believed in giving a helping hand, and in fairness.

Aili’s husband Paul predeceased her in 2005. She was also predeceased by her sister in 2008, beloved niece Rhonda, 2024 and beloved son-in-law Marshall Davies in 2026. Aili is survived by her son Kevin (Margery), daughter Elaine Davies, and daughter Carol Topalian, together with grandchildren Maja Younan (Serge) and great-grandchildren Emma and J.J. and Paul Topalian (Fabiola); survived by grandchildren Tara and Sean (Hailey) and great-granddaughter Jasmine, of the Davies family tree.

In 1944, Aili recalled a pivotal experience for her confidence: working at a salmon cannery with her mother near Bella Coola one special summer. Post-war, the gals and guys would go to dances in Vancouver, where she met Englishman and returning Canadian airforce veteran Paul Topalian at the Empire Ballroom in 1947. They married in January 1949, with Paul taking up his lifelong career as an elementary school teacher.

Kevin was born in 1952. Elaine in 1957, and Carol in 1964. The family lived in various BC communities, including Vancouver, Gitsegukla, Texada Island, Port Coquitlam, Squamish and finally North Vancouver, where Paul and Aili resided in Lynn Valley for thirty years.

Aili was creative, curious and likely to change jobs to try out new ones. She was a gifted nurse, having been trained at Riverview, but giving it up to be a stay-at-home mom. With husband Paul and their kids, she loved long walks; she played tennis and pitch-and-putt golf, especially at Murdo Fraser. At home, she made the place lovely inside and out, and her gardens were her canvas: she was a master of colour and design.

Seeing her family together and taking pride in their happiness made Aili happy. Playing cards with Elaine and Marshall or Scrabble with Carol; having long discussions with Kevin, and just being together with family was a delight to her.

There will be no formal funeral service, as the family wishes to mourn in private. The family would like to thank the wonderful and caring staff and friends of both Seton Villa assisted living in Burnaby and Dania Home. She was treated with love, compassion and support during her time there.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to Dania Home, where Aili was cared for since 2023.