Sr. Alida De Freitas, I.B.V.M.

De Freitas, Sister Alida (Olga) died peacefully on May 10, 2016 in Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, in the 95th year of her life and her 70th year as a member of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loretto Sisters). Born in Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana), Sister Alida is predeceased by her parents Caesar de Freitas and Carmen Cardoza and her cousin Gerry (Norma) Gouveia. She is survived by her cousins Edward Gouveia, Bernard (Honor) Gouveia, Elizabeth (Patrick) Belgrave and second cousins Mary Ironmonger, Christine Zettler, Carol (Dan) Taylor, Nina Gouveia, Michael Gouveia, Lisa (Richard) Hughes, Nicole (José) Martinez, Jason (Carrie) Belgrave, Fr. Kevin Belgrave and Christina (Alex) Purich. After completing her elementary education in British Guiana and Grades 11 and 12 as a boarder at Loretto Academy in Hamilton, Ontario, Sister Alida immigrated to Canada in 1945 with her parents. In May 1946 she entered the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary and was finally professed on November 21, 1954. From 1949 -1986 Sister Alida’s ministry involved teaching piano, training choirs and acting as Music supervisor in schools in Niagara Falls, Stratford, Estevan and Vancouver, interspersed with Parish Ministry, training church choirs, and teaching catechetics in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. In 1986 Sister Alida established a Mission in St. Vincent, West Indies. In 1989 she returned to Toronto to work with Refugees and the homeless poor. She then assumed the role of Secretary at the Chancery Office in Kingstown, St. Vincent, from 1992-1995. The last twenty years of Sister Alida’s life were spent in a variety of administrative roles first at Loretto College School and then at Loretto Abbey. Friends may call at Loretto Abbey, 101 Mason Blvd., on Sunday May 15, 2016, from 2:00-3.30 and 7:00-9:00 p.m. Prayers will be at 7:30 p.m. on the same day. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Loretto Abbey Chapel, on Monday, May 16, 2016, at 11.00 a.m. followed by interment at Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery.