Parcourez la nécrologie de Habiba Shiraz Daya Saturday February 8th 2025 résidant dans la province Ontario pour le détail des funérailles
Obituary: Habiba Shiraz Daya
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Habiba Shiraz (formerly Gulamhusein Kassam Kurji) Daya, aged 69, of St. Catharines, Ontario, formerly of Kisumu, Kenya; and Scarborough, Ontario. Habiba passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, February 8, 2025.
Born on June 19, 1955, in Kisumu, Kenya, to Gulamhusein and Sherbanu Kassam Kurji, Habiba spent her early years in Kisumu, Kenya at the Aga Khan Primary School and Kisumu Girls High School before pursuing Legal Secretary studies in Nairobi. In the early 1970s, Habiba worked in a managerial capacity at the New Stanley Hotel in Nairobi.
In 1975, Habiba met the love of her life Shiraz (April 7, 1947 – January 4, 2025), and together they immigrated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where they married in 1976. Over the years, Habiba held senior secretarial roles with Bata and General Motors while supporting her family through multiple entrepreneurial ventures, including two automotive repair garages in Ajax and Rexdale and a newspaper delivery business over four-plus years.
In 1990, Habiba and Shiraz moved their family to St. Catharines, where they founded Minit Auto Service. Over 35 years, Habiba worked side by side with her husband through very challenging economic, political and social circumstances to create a thriving business that is proud to contribute to its community. Her three sons now stand on the shoulders of giants as they carry forward their parents’ legacy.
Habiba will be remembered for her steadfast compassion, radiant joy, limitless generosity, and unwavering devotion to her family, friends, community, and all whose lives she touched. She was a deeply spiritual woman with an unparalleled work ethic, a heartfelt compassion for others, and a philanthropist who contributed much of her time, knowledge and resources to organizations such as the Niagara Health Foundation, Focus Humanitarian, and the Aga Khan Development Network, to name just a few.
Habiba could often be found practicing her faith at the local Ismaili Jamat Khana, managing all the behind-the-scenes bookkeeping, banking and legal upstairs in the family’s shop, or volunteering her time for various youth and senior programs in her community. She loved to sing, dance, and play, but nothing brought her more joy than preparing and sharing meals surrounded by family and friends. Habiba was an amazing chef!
Habiba is survived by her three sons, their wives and grandchildren:
• Irfan (Uma, Aleena (5))
• Imran (Aliya, Zidan Ali (6), Samir Ali (3))
• Zaheed
Habiba is predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Shiraz, who recently passed on January 4, 2025.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025 @ 8:30 am, at Morse & Son Funeral Home, 5917 Main Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Niagara Health Foundation in Habiba’s memory.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the incredible teams at Marotta Family/St. Catharines General Hospital and Juravinski Cancer Centre for their care, compassion, and support during Habiba’s courageous battle with a rare bone marrow disorder.
Habiba will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all whose lives she touched.
Saturday February 8th 2025
morse and son canada’s first funeral home
Décès pour la Ville:Niagara-Falls, Province: Ontario
avis deces Habiba Shiraz Daya Saturday February 8th 2025
nécrologie Habiba Shiraz Daya Saturday February 8th 2025
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Habiba Shiraz Daya Saturday February 8th 2025 et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.