An 80-year-old grandmother who loved Toronto sports teams nearly as much as her own family and a "brilliant" young woman who volunteered to build houses in the Dominican Republic were among the 10 people killed when a van plowed down a Toronto pavement.

Other victims in Monday's attack included people from Jordan and South Korea, as well as a local college student. Though the names of most of the victims weren't immediately released, details began emerging about several of them as their families began mourning and memorials in their honour grew larger.

Alek Minassian, a 25-year-old student, appeared in court in the city on Tuesday morning and was charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and 13 counts of attempted murder.

Anne-Marie D'Amico

The first victim was named as a charity worker called Anne-Marie D'Amico.

A friend has spoken of his anger at losing his friend - described by her loved ones as "incredible" and "a star".

CBC reported Ms D'Amico's next of kin had been informed, and in an emotional Facebook post, Brodie MacDonald wrote: "I am so angry at the world today and I am so sorry that this happened to you and as tears roll down my face thinking about the incredible person that you were, please know that you made a difference in so many peoples' lives.