- October 10, 2026
Aida Correia Almeida died peacefully at her residence in Palm Coast, Florida on September 8th, 2026. She was the middle sister born on April 16, 1928 of the “Correia sisters”, Betty, Aida, and Irene, to Amadeu and Aida Correia in Elizabeth NJ where she was raised. Following her graduation from St. Patrick’s high school, she was employed by the Social Security Administration in Elizabeth where she quickly rose to the Head of the department. Her bilingual abilities enabled her to assist countless Portuguese people in the community with translations and important documents and establishing new friendships.
Aida soon met the love of her life, Antonio Almeida and shared in a double wedding with her sister Betty to Edward, Antonio’s brother on June 12,1948. Two sisters, two brothers joined in marriage and bonded in life, raising families side by side. That closeness and family dedication has become a defining strength not only for her children but grandchildren as well. As Aida often said, “My foundation is built on these principles: Faith-Family-Friends.”
Aida lived a full and purposeful life, always prioritizing her devotion to her Catholic Faith, her Family and her Friends. She was deeply involved in Our Lady of Fatima Church teaching both catechism and serving as an Eucharistic minister for 25 years. Her dedication to preserving our Portuguese heritage was evident in the decades of service and work she did at the PISC (Portuguese Instructive Social Club) that was founded by her father. She was both humbled and honored to be Grand Marshall for the Portuguese Day Parade. She also served on the board of directors for the Portuguese school that bears her father’s name, for numerous decades. Through her life, actions and intentions, Aida touched and uplifted people from all walks of life. She always had a warm sense of humor, an unshakable fortitude in navigating life’s storms and genuine joy because the lens of her life was always through her faith. Trusting God’s plan, her one word mantra: “Acceptance” was often heard.
There is so much that could be said about her life that spanned nearly a century, but the best reflection comes from her own words, written in her unpublished autobiography:
“Early on in life, I have always had a strong sense of values; a close relationship with all family members and a strong connection with friends that I established through the years. I have always believed that the greatest treasure we possess in life are not material things, but are found in “Our Faith, Our Family and Our Friends” This, is substantiated by the feeling of complete joy and assurance that one feels in life, knowing that through ”faith”, God is the anchor of our being and the One who supplies our every need, the One who comforts us in times of joy and sorrows; Through “Family” we share an untold love, a caring and belonging for each other that goes without definition; and through “Friends” we share companionship and camaraderie in good times and bad times. My foundation is built on these principles: Faith, Family Friends.
She was preceded in death bShe was preceded in death by her husband, Antonio Almeida and son-in-law, David Hamilton of Newark, OH, and her sisters and brothers-in-law, Elizabeth and Edward Almeida and Irene and Carlos Reed.
She is survived by her children Antonio (Elaine) Almeida, Rosemarie (Herb) Hiers, and Suzette Hamilton; 5 grandchildren, Antonio Almeida, Christopher Almeida, Curtis Hiers, Danielle Fallone and Jennifer Mann, and 9 great grandchildren.
Viewing will be held at August F. Schmidt Funeral Home, Elizabeth, NJ on Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 1 PM to 5 PM. A Catholic Mass will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Elizabeth, New Jersey, at 10:00 a.m. on Monday September 14, 2026; interment will follow at Hollywood Memorial Park and Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 4600 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast, FL 32164.
