Our family’s beloved matriarch, Paulina Effer, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2025. A loving mother, nana, great-grandmother (GG), sister, aunt, cousin, and dear friend to many, Paulina’s life was defined by deep devotion to family, enduring strength, and a lifelong love of music.

Paulina was the cherished wife of the late James Effer Sr., and although separated in later years due to his untimely passing, her love and unwavering devotion to him remained constant.

She was the loving mother of the late James Effer Jr. (Suzanne), Steve (Carolyn), and Peter (Dawn). She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her grandchildren Alex (Sasha), Daniel, Charlotte, Samuel, Sarah, Myra, and Abigail, and by her treasured great-granddaughter Olivia.

Paulina was the eldest sister of Rosemary and the late Joe Mannone (Carol). She was a beloved aunt to Nicole (Dave) and Laura (Dave), and a proud great-aunt to Gabriel.

Born into a close-knit family, Paulina spent her childhood with her parents and grandparents in Toronto’s Cabbagetown neighbourhood on Ontario Street, where her home became a gathering place for relatives and friends, including many newly immigrating from Sicily. Family was always at the heart of everything she did.

Music was Paulina’s greatest passion, second only to her family. She sang for the first time at just five years old, perched on her father’s knee at a wedding. She then began training at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and, at age twelve, earned an opportunity to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show — an offer she declined out of a lifelong fear of performing publicly and forgetting the words.

Though shy about the spotlight, Paulina shared her gift generously throughout her life, often singing from the balcony at weddings, lyrics in hand. Her greatest legacy, however, was in education: Paulina devoted nearly 50 years to teaching music to children and directing musicals, inspiring generations through her talent and care.

In retirement, she remained a guiding light to her grandchildren, always cheering them on and supporting them whenever she could. Paulina also faced significant health challenges, enduring arthritis and cancer with remarkable courage, resilience, and determination.

Paulina will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.


Funeral Arrangements (in accordance with Paulina’s wishes)

Visitation – Thursday, April 23, 2026 (Open to all)
Centennial College Event Centre
937 Progress Avenue, Scarborough, ON M1G 3T8
1:30–4:00 p.m. and 6:00–8:30 p.m.
Parking validation/passes will be provided inside the venue.

Funeral Mass – Saturday, April 25, 2026 (Open to all)
St. Lawrence Martyr Church
2210 Lawrence Avenue East, Scarborough, ON M1P 4M9
12:00–1:00 p.m.
Parking is available behind the church and at the school next door.

A private Celebration of Life and burial will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Paulina’s memory may be made to Little Red Theatre, an organization offering after-school and summer musical theatre programs for children aged 7 to 14. Donations may be made through the following link: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/16847.