Eleanor Da Via

Eleanor Da Via "Nora" passed away peacefully on May 19, 2023 at the age of 95. Nora grew up in Detroit, the daughter of Italian immigrants who instilled in their 4 children the importance of faith and family. Her father was a professional photographer, and she helped in his studio until she graduated from East Commerce High School and began working at Packard Motor Car Company, Purchasing Division. She married Alvio Da Via in 1947 and they purchased a house in Detroit in 1951. She stopped working when she gave birth to her first child, John, that year. Her son Joseph arrived in 1954, followed by her daughter Jill in 1955. She was a devoted wife and mother, busy with child-rearing, cooking, baking and cleaning. She enjoyed gardening as well, and maintained a lush garden year after year. She was a talented artist and gifted seamstress.

Nora's husband Alvio's sudden, unexpected passing in 1980 challenged her to survive without his help, but her strength and determination saw her through difficult years while she cared for her mother at home for the following decade. The years to come were eventful, with the marriages of all three of her children and the arrival of grandsons Nicholas, Peter, Christopher, Alexander and John, and granddaughters Virginia, Carrie and Stephanie. She enjoyed hosting the family for holidays, cooking her ravioli and "Gramma-roni" mac & cheese. Her signature dessert was "pineapple sheet cake", a family favorite which was dubbed "Aunt Nora cake" by her nieces and nephews.

After the passing of her mother Mary, Nora held a few part-time jobs, then focused on her children and grandchildren, enjoying watching them grow up. She was fortunate to attend the weddings of six of the eight grandchildren and live to see the arrival of her 10 great-grandchildren, Noah, Ava, Diana, Sylvia, Averie, Owen, Augustus, Austin, Max and Atticus. What a reward for living to 95!

Visitation at the Sterling Heights Chapel of the Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home, 13650 East Fifteen Mile Road on Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm with Prayers at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 26, 2023 at St. Matthias Catholic Church located at 12311 19 Mile Road in Sterling Heights. Instate at 9:30 am until the Mass at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sunflower Senior Care, LLC, 6580 Forest Park Dr., Troy, MI 48098.