For those of you fortunate to know her, as of 2025 Aida Correia Almeida is presently residing in Palm Coast, Florida and is celebrating 97 years of a life fulfilled.
Born unto immigrant parents, Aida and Amadeu Correia, Aida was the middle of sister siblings and raised in the Port neighborhood of Elizabeth, N.J. She received her education at St. Patrick’s elementary/high school graduating valedictorian in her class of 1945.
Following graduation, Aida aspired to civil service gaining employment in the Federal Dept. of Social Security. Her dedication to work and displayed attentiveness to fellow employees distinguished her as a leader and quickly earned her grade promotions positioning into management. She was soon thereafter recognized and sought after by the Portuguese community for her dependable assistance in arranging document/benefit procurement for newly arrived immigrants.
Aida married Antonio Almeida, the love of her life in 1948 and dedicated the following years to raising and nurturing a family, faith, family and friends was her guiding mantra.
Always proud of proclaiming her heritage, the Portuguese InstructiveSocial Club (PISC) of which her father was a founding member became the center of social life maintaining familial acquaintances and enduring friendships founded in her youth. Aida was an active member of the PISC Women’s Auxiliary and former youth organization (Old Mocidade) serving on committees involved in raising community funds and planning social event gatherings.
Aida and Antonio were also members of the congregation belonging to Our Lady of Fatima Church in Elizabeth. They were Eucharistic ministers and volunteered their time to serving the Portuguese community especially visiting the elderly and invalid unable to attend mass. Being bilingual, Aida became a beloved catechism teacher and was responsible for preparing a generation of young newly arrived immigrant communicants.
In 1993, Aida was bestowed the honor of representing the Elizabeth Portuguese community in the perennial Portugal Day Parade participating as Grand Marshall. To this day, Aida still recalls the esteemed privilege as one of the most cherished moments in her lifetime.
When recently asked what advice would you give that makes a life worth living, she is quick to respond “Faith, Family and Friends… First and Foremost” …. Happy Birthday and thank you Aida for sharing this bit of wisdom.
Aida Almeida
Grand Marshal - 1993