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Former Burnaby trustee candidate dies at age 61

An outspoken trustee candidate in Burnaby’s last municipal election has died. Maria Parente, a candidate with the Burnaby First Coalition, died at age 61 at Royal Columbian Hospital Monday, two weeks after being diagnosed with a metastizing cancer.
Maria Parente

An outspoken trustee candidate in Burnaby’s last municipal election has died.

Maria Parente, a candidate with the Burnaby First Coalition, died at age 61 at Royal Columbian Hospital Monday, two weeks after being diagnosed with a metastizing cancer.

“Her strength honestly amazed me more than anything,” Parente’s daughter Julia told the NOW. “She still continued to be a mother even lying in that bed, and it just blew my mind. She cared about us so much.”

Nick Kvenich, a fellow BFC candidate, had known Parente since their high school days in East Vancouver at Templeton Secondary.

“She was a real team player,” he said, “and Maria was obviously one who spoke her mind.”

Parente is survived by her husband, Nicola; children Giuseppe, Julia and Julian; and three grandchildren.

A service for Parente will be held Aug. 6 at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Parish in Burnaby (1450 Delta Ave.).