Derna Norris Pupulin

Derna Norris Pupulin (nee Facca)

January 4, 1931 to January 8, 2025

Our feisty mother took her last breath on January 8th, four days after celebrating her 94th birthday.

She was born in Fiume Veneto, Italy. In 1952, she married Sergio and shortly after, they immigrated to Canada, eventually settling in Chatham, Ontario. Together, they raised three daughters, bought a beautiful home on the Thames River and co-founded Maple City Bakery. Their lives were enriched by their wonderful, caring and loving friends.

Mom loved her family and friends, her home and gardens and Elvis! In her younger days, she golfed, bowled, played poker, and smoked Cameo menthol cigarettes. She excelled as a seamstress/dressmaker and in the kitchen. Her specialties were sugo, rabbit with polenta, and banana bread. Derna loved parties with bands and dancing - the noisier the better! She never turned down the chance to have a nightcap; in her later years at the retirement residence, during Covid lockdown, mom would often sneak into a friend’s room to have a Baileys. Cin cin! 

She learned English from watching soap operas, confused at first and then shocked by the promiscuity of the characters! In the rare event that she missed an episode, there was a list of friends whom she could call for details. 

She adored babies and mothers in the mall were often startled when she would approach them and steal their babies to ooh and aah over them. Luckily, no one ever called the police. Mom was a role model of work ethic, independence, practicality and thriftiness and we are grateful to her "figure-it-out" parenting style that resulted in raising us to be independent and strong. 

Derna was pre-deceased by her husband Sergio, and is survived by Emanuela (and Joe), Adriana (and David) and Theresa. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Justin (and Cleo), Nick (and Michelle), Erika (and Kyle) and Richard. Her great-grandchildren, Edwin and Malcolm send her their kisses.

Rest in peace mom. A celebration of mom's life will be held in the spring in Chatham. Details will be shared later. 

Please feel free to donate to a charity of your choice or have a drink in her honour or play some Elvis songs – or all three!