Erlinda Aguilar Borason

On May 23, 2023, Erlinda Aguilar Borason, aged 80, passed away peacefully in Vancouver, BC after a brief battle with metastatic cancer, surrounded by love and family who never left her side during her final days. She was born on June 14, 1942, the fourth of eight children and eldest daughter of L/Col. Donato Aguilar, Sr. and Maria Tuliao Aguilar, in Asingan, Pangasinan, Philippines. In 1969, Erlinda met Miguel Saulon Borason, and immigrated to Canada that year. In 1972, Erlinda returned to the Philippines to marry Miguel, and that year both returned to Canada and made Montréal, Quebec their new home. During their years in La Belle Province, Madame Borason taught Grade 4 Science at École McLearon in Pointe-aux-Trembles, and gave birth to her two sons: Michael-Don Francis (’75) and Darwin Michael (’77). In 1979, the family moved to Vancouver, BC, where in 1983, her youngest child, Milynne Maria Elisa (Eugene), was born.

Lovingly referred to as ‘Ling, Mom/Mama, Ate, Erli, Nana, Ninang, Tita/Auntie Lynne, Miss Lynne, Lola, and Meema, Erlinda was a respected elder in our family. Erlinda was famous for her garden, her cooking of traditional Filipino dishes, and her epic cakes. Moreover, she was known for the love and hospitality she showed not only to our family, but to the neighbourhood families and friends who were part of our lives. She will always be remembered for her grace, her caring smile, and nurturing presence.

Along with her husband and children, Erlinda is survived by her son-in-law and step-granddaughter (Rhea), sisters Bella and Louisa (Louis), brothers Rodrigo (Mila) and Donato, Jr. (Concepcion), and a plethora of cousins, nephews, nieces, Godchildren, grand nieces/nephews, and family friends who are part of three generations of our Barkada. She is predeceased by her parents and older brothers, Ricardo (Angelina), Renato, Walfred (Teresita), and our beloved pet cats, Sushi and Maki.

To remember and honour Erlinda as she embarks on her journey to be with our Lord, family and friends are invited to a visitation on Thursday, June 8, 7pm-9pm at Ocean View Funeral Home in Burnaby, BC, and to her funeral mass on Friday, June 9, 1pm at Corpus Christi Parish in Vancouver, BC, with interment to follow at Ocean View Burial Park in Burnaby, BC.

Our family would like to thank all the nurses, doctors, staff and caregivers at VGH Acute Medical Unit 10C - Jim Pattison Pavilion, and Cottage House Hospice, who were incredible in the treatment and care of Erlinda, and in keeping her comfortable as she told her body to rest. If you are so inclined, we encourage a donation to Cottage House via The Bloom Group at https://www.thebloomgroup.org/Donate/.