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.).