Obituary of Mrs. Elfrida Colaco

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Elfrida Colaço on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at the age of 81. She passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family.

Beloved wife of Irineu “Bill”, dearly loved mother of Michelle (Brian) and Nicole (Wesley) and devoted grandmother of Avery and Reese.

Elfrida is survived by her sister Marina (Edwin) and her brother Lance (Anne). She will be reunited with her parents Damascene and Annie, as well as her sister Sylvie (Ivor). She will be dearly missed by extended family and friends. We will remember her for her grace, kindness and gentle soul.

Elfrida was born in Zanzibar, Tanzania where she and her 3 siblings were raised. She attended St. Joseph’s Convent School. After her Senior Cambridge year, she left for Kampala, Uganda in 1959 where she completed a teacher training course at Shimoni Training College. She taught at Ithnasheri Primary School for 2 years. In 1963, she returned to Zanzibar and taught at the Aga Khan Primary School.

On February 20, 1965, she married Irineu Colaço and they lived in Dar es Salaam. In 1967, they moved to Mombasa, Kenya. Elfrida taught at the Bohra Primary School in Tudor, where they lived. They had two children: Michelle and Nicole. They lived a happy and relaxed life in East Africa.

In 1973, the family immigrated to Canada. Six months after immigrating, Elfrida was hired by the Toronto Central Library. She worked at the Toronto Reference Library for 31 years until she retired in 2004.

Elfrida loved the outdoors. She had a passion for gardening and took great pleasure in watching the birds come to her many bird feeders. She loved music and was an avid reader. Elfrida celebrated many happy occasions throughout her lifetime. She was a loving, gentle woman who passed on sound values to her family and friends. We will never forget her.