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Dimna Avila, May 15, 1930 – August 14, 2010

Outstanding Canadian Awardee, Dimna Avila dies at 80.

Dimna Avila was an Agriculturist, Educator and Literary Artist. Dimna Avila died peacefully on Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 at Scarborough General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario due to kidney failure.

Dimna was born on May 15th 1930 in Alang-Alang, Leyte, Philippines to parents Pedro and Zoila Avila.

Dimna was a pioneer in many ways as she became the First woman from Leyte to graduate in Agriculture from the University of the Philippines, Los Banos in 1953.

Dimna loved academia. Graduate studies were Dimna’s tickets to travel the world, receiving different scholarships and postings. In 1965, she came to Canada to study her 2nd and 3rd master’s degrees in Agriculture and Library Science from the University of Guelph and University of Western Ontario. She studied her Doctoral Studies in Adult Education at the University of Toronto but did not complete dissertation due to the birth of her son.

In the early 70’s, Dimna taught at Loretto College in Toronto. In 1976, together with “Choling” Covacha, Dimna would be one of the first Filipino-Canadians to teach the First Nations People at Lansdowne House in Northern Ontario. In 1979, the Balik-Scientist program of then-president Marcos helped reunite Associate Professor Avila with the University of the Philippines in Tacloban City and became Department Head and Dean.

Avila’s poems printed on bookmarks

In 1987, Dimna came back to Canada. Her love for teaching and love for her son got her to focus on children and the literary arts. Dimna became an early childhood educator with YMCA and established the Community Activity Resource Empowerment Sub-System (CARESS).

In 1990’s CARESS led to the opening of Children and Toy Libraries in the Philippines and here in Canada. She also got affiliated with Scarborough Arts Council and discovered her passion for writing short stories and poems, and publishing them in newspapers and magazines. This labour of love earned her an Outstanding Canadian Award in 2000.

Dimna loved to travel together with the love of her life Rene Geroude. They would frequently visit her sister and family (Salome, Erin, Irsal, and Ireneo “Dun-Dun” Cabahug) in Connecticut. She would also go back and forth to the Philippines to visit family and friends. Other travel highlight was visiting Europe, specially the Vatican.

Dimna is survived by her son Michael, her daughter in-law Elaine Avila, sister Salome Avila Cabahug, 97 year old Aunt Felicidad “Lola Peli” Varona, the Avila family from Tanauan, Leyte and grandchildren Michael John, David Angelo, Daniel Maximus and Isabel Elaine.

Funeral service was held on August 7th, 2010 at St. Bartholomew Church in Toronto, Ontario. The Avila Family wishes to express sincere thanks and appreciation to all who journeyed with Dimna Avila. Your expression of loving support, compassion and sympathy are graciously received. Special thank you to the following families and individuals: Lacuesta, Lim-Serrano, Denas, Manaois, Zaballa-Laxa, Villiagracia, De Veyra, Teves, Cabahug, Julie Carino, Gladys Divinagracia, and Father Foley.

FAMILY and friends of the late Dimna Avila gather in a Scarborough restaurant after the funeral service held August 7, 2010. The reception was hosted by son Michael Avila and family, and sister Salome Avila Cabahug and family. Guests include relatives and friends from Tanauan, Leyte, and from Scarborough where she spent many of her happiest years as a doting grandma to four lovely grandchildren.

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