Della Canada, age 84, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026. She was born on May 13, 1941, in Centerpoint, Kentucky, to Bera “Bea” Murphy and Dick Cleary.
Della grew up in a large and loving family as one of ten children. In order, Hazel, Lecil, Pauline, Marlin, Dennis, Harley, Della and Zella, Patton, and Carolyn. She shared a special bond as a twin with her sister Zella. Living in a small three-room home shaped her childhood with resilience and strong family values. With so many siblings around her, the children often took turns going to school. From an early age, Dellarine developed a strong work ethic-preferring to be outside helping wherever she could while her twin Zella liked helping indoors.
Della and Zella were born very small without doctors present; during those early days they were lovingly cared for in a shoebox before moving to a dresser drawer as they grew-this showed the strength and determination that would define her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband Gerald Canada who passed away two years earlier during Easter week. Della is survived by her two sons: Jerry and Roger; five grandchildren: Jackie, Gary, Candice, Gabe and Jordan; seven great-grandchildren: Kasey, Wyatt, Grace, Garrett, Violet, Elizabeth and Claire; three great-great-grandchildren: Levi, Jackson and Ruby-with two more on the way-and her two siblings Patton and Carolyn.
Della spent many years working at Western Electric. Even after she retired she continued working-first as a florist at Jockish Flowers where she shared her love of flowers-and later at Spectrum assembling tanning beds.
She was a dedicated member of Villa Baptist Church for over 50 years where she taught Sunday school for many of those years. Her life reflected her faith-she loved her neighbors deeply and lived out her beliefs every day.
Della had an amazing gift for making everyone feel important. She had a caring heart always looking after others especially those who needed help. She loved cooking for family gatherings gardening (especially planting tomatoes), surrounding herself with flowers shopping for deals and playing Bingo. She also enjoyed cheering for her favorite sports teams-the Reds Pacers and Colts.
Above all else Della (Mom Grandma Nana Aunt Della) will be remembered for her kindness strength cooking generosity and the love she shared so freely with everyone around her. Her impact continues through the generations she helped raise along with countless lives she touched.
A visitation will be held on Monday April 6 2026 from 1PM-3PM at Flanner Buchanan-Memorial Park located at 9350 E Washington St Indianapolis Indiana 46229. A funeral service will immediately follow starting at 3PM.
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