A community memorial service is being planned to pay tribute to the many neighbours, friends and loved ones who passed away from COVID-19.

Community leaders from various groups are compiling a list of names of those in the community who fell to the deadly virus. More than 100 area residents are estimated to have perished from the deadly disease in the South Etobicoke area.

Many died in long care homes and in most cases less than 10 loved ones were permitted to attend their funeral or services to prevent the spread of the virus.

Rev. Jacqueline Daley, of St. Margaret Church, on Sixth Street, said meetings are being held bi-weekly to plan a memorial service by members of her church, Dorothy Ley Hospice, LAMP and Lakeshore Arts.

“Many people were lost on the streets who we still don’t know about,” Daley says. “We have to remember them through prayer.”

The service will be held at St. Margaret Church, on §ixth Street church. The date will be released soon.

“Nobody is sure home many people passed away in the community during COVID-19,” Daley says. “We want to identify them and tell their stories.”

The names of some of those who passed will be displayed at the service.

“Many of us have not had enough time to grieve,” Daley says. “It is about time that we all prayed for them.”

Health officials say the spread of the virus has been decreasing due to more vaccines being issues. More than 3,000 Toronto residents have been killed by COVID-19, according to city officials. More than 9,000 have died in Ontario. The virus has killed more than 25,000 alone in Canada,

Rev. Daley can be reached by phone at 416-259-2659 or by email at stmargaretnewtoronto@toronto.anglican.ca