Norbina Amaral Raposo

Born on June 26, 1939, in Água Retorta, Povoação, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal, Norbina grew to know a time of great trials that forged her character of early loss. The passing of her four siblings during her early years shaped her into a woman of fierce perseverance and an unwavering determination to survive life's hardships.

On November 24, 1969, she immigrated to Canada to join her husband, Antero Leandro Resendes Silva, in Ontario. In the years that followed, life took an unexpected course, and Norbina found herself raising her six young children as a single mother. To provide for her family, she often worked two and sometimes three jobs, meeting life's demands with remarkable determination and an extraordinary work ethic. She understood sacrifice well and carried responsibilities that would have overwhelmed many.

Like many lives, Norbina's story was not without hardship. The challenges she endured shaped her in lasting ways. She was a strong woman—independent, resilient, and determined—but also one who carried pain that was not always easy to set aside. Family relationships evolved over the years, sometimes growing close and at other times becoming distant. Yet even through periods of separation, she often spoke of loving all her children deeply.

She is lovingly remembered by her children: Dília “Delia”, Tiago, Americo "Mike", Arlindo, Adelia, and Messias "Jim."

She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Eessencia, Mallory, Eric, Michael, Jennifer, Katie, Annie and Tara, Marjorie, Daniel “Airlie”, Steven, Madelyn, Jonathan, Rebecca “Dexter”, and Abigail, Zachary, Eva, Ariel, Joshua and Bella; and her greatgrandchildren: Marigold, River, Avery, Cole, Violet, and Sebastian, Daphne, Kaius, Felix and Oliver. She is also survived by her sister, Ema, and her nieces, Jennifer and Helena, and nephews Louis, Dunise and Gilberto.

Norbina will be greatly missed by her cat, her faithful companion, Tiana, whose quiet presence brought many years of comfort. She will also be fondly remembered by Karen, whose kindness and loving visits always uplifted her spirits.

In 2023, Norbina moved to Victoria, British Columbia, where she spent her remaining years. She passed away peacefully in the compassionate care of the staff at Beckley Farm Lodge Long-Term Care. Her family is sincerely grateful for the kindness, dignity, and respect shown to her throughout her time there.

Norbina was predeceased by her beloved parents, João Moniz Raposo and Justina Moniz Amaral, and by her deeply cherished siblings, Gilberto, Manuel, Jose, Maria, Gilberto and Eberia. We find comfort in knowing she has returned to the loving embrace of her family and to the eternal peace she faithfully believed awaited her.

She will be laid to rest beside her beloved parents at Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery in Toronto, where her daughter, Delia, believes she is finally at home and at rest.

Norbina's life was marked by both remarkable strength and profound hardship, and those who knew her understood that one could not be separated from the other. She crossed an ocean in search of a better life, carried burdens few could see, and worked tirelessly to provide for her family. Like all of us, she was imperfect, shaped by both love and hardship.

May she now find the peace that sometimes eluded her in this life. And may those who loved her remember not only where her journey ended, but the strength it took to walk it.

"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28

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