Brenda Aguiar (D'Souza)

Brenda Teresa Aguiar, daughter of the late Albert and Ann Mary (“Molly”) D’Souza,

passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Brooklyn, New York. Her life was a

testament to faith, courage, resilience, and the boundless love she carried for her family

and community.

Born on December 24, 1935, in Bombay, India, Brenda grew up surrounded by a rich East

Indian cultural heritage that shaped her warmth, generosity, and deep devotion to family.

On October 30, 1966, she married her beloved husband, Gregory Aguiar, at Our Lady of

Egypt Roman Catholic Church in Kalina, India. After her marriage, Brenda joined the

Aguiar family at Benalin Home, where she quickly became a unifying presence. She had a

remarkable gift for bringing people together, and her talents filled the household with love

and joy. A wonderful cook, she also delighted in making flowers, decorating cakes, and

using her creativity to make every celebration special. She adored children and was the

heart and soul of family gatherings. Brenda also loved singing in the church choir and had a

beautiful voice, which she lifted joyfully and gratefully to the glory of God.

In 1985, Brenda made the brave and hopeful decision to immigrate to the United States

where she joined her husband to seek new opportunities and a brighter future for her

family. She settled in New York, and before long, Brooklyn became her home—a place

where she continued to build a life filled with love and purpose.

Brenda’s life was deeply grounded in her strong Catholic faith. She was especially

devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, finding comfort and inspiration in prayer throughout

her life. As a longtime parishioner of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn,

she participated faithfully in parish life and carried her devotion into her daily actions—

including daily Mass and the Rosary—embodying compassion, forgiveness, and a quiet,

enduring trust in God.

Brenda was the devoted mother of Vanessa Peluso, Zenon Aguiar, Newman Aguiar,

Albert Aguiar, and Marianne Perry, and she took immense pride in the families they built.

She cherished Vanessa and her spouse Rocco, and their sons Joseph and Nicholas;

Zenon and his spouse Lycia, and their daughters Shannon and Kristen; Newman and his

spouse Ann-Louise, and their son Joshua; Albert and his spouse Javi, and their children

Sarah, Andrew, Matthew, and Leah; and Marianne and her spouse Jason, and their

daughter Juliette. Brenda treasured each of her grandchildren, finding joy in their

personalities, accomplishments, and the bright futures she saw in all of them.

Brenda was preceded in death by her siblings Maurice D’Souza, Savi D’Souza, and

Quincy Pereira, whose memories remained close to her heart throughout her life. She is

survived by her loving siblings Holland D’Souza, Hadrian D’Souza, and Scarlet Palan.

Brenda’s kindness reached far beyond her immediate family. Friends remember her as

someone who always made time for others—someone who listened deeply, cared

sincerely, and gave generously. Her home was a gathering place filled with shared meals,

stories, and the unmistakable warmth that she created.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, courage, and compassion. Her family, friends, and

neighbors will forever carry her memory in their hearts, honoring her by living with the same

generosity and strength she embodied.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that contributions be made to St. Patrick

Roman Catholic Church, Bay Ridge Brooklyn, in Brenda’s memory, honoring her lifelong

devotion to her faith and her parish community.

Services

Visitation

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

2–5 PM and 7–9 PM

McLaughlin & Sons Funeral Home

9620 Third Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

Memorial Mass

Wednesday, June 24, 2026, beginning at 10:30 AM

St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church

9511 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

Burial

Following the service at

Woodbridge Memorial Gardens

US-1 N, Iselin, NJ 08830