Dellarine "Della" Canada

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 was raised in a large, loving, and humble 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. Growing up in a small three-room home, her childhood was marked by resilience, simplicity, and strong family values. With so many siblings, the children often took turns attending school. From an early age, Dellarine developed a strong work ethic —preferring to be outside helping wherever she could, while her twin Zella enjoyed helping indoors. 

Della and Zella were born very small without the presence of doctors, and in those early days, they were lovingly cared for in a shoebox, later moving to a dresser drawer as they grew—an example of the strength and determination that would define her life. 

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gerald Canada, who passed away two years prior, also the week of Easter. Della is survived by her two sons, Jerry and Roger; her five grandchildren, Jackie, Gary, Candice, Gabe, and Jordan; seven great-grandchildren, Kasey, Wyatt, Grace, Garrett, Violet, Elizabeth, and Claire; and three great-great-grandchildren, Levi, Jackson, and Ruby, with two more on the way; and her two siblings, Patton and Carolyn.

Della dedicated many years of her career to Western Electric. Even after retirement, 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 longtime, faithful member of Villa Baptist Church, where she attended for over 50 years and spent many of those years teaching Sunday school. Her life was a reflection of her faith—she loved her neighbors deeply and lived out her beliefs daily. 

Della had a gift for making everyone feel special. She had a servant’s heart and was always caring for others, especially those in need. She loved cooking for family, gardening especially planting tomatoes, surrounding herself with flowers, shopping for deals, and playing Bingo. She also enjoyed watching her favorite sports teams, the Reds, Pacers, and Colts. 

Above all, Della (Mom, Grandma, Nana, Aunt Della) will be remembered for her kindness, her strength, her cooking, her generosity and the love she gave so freely to everyone around her. Her legacy lives on in the generations she helped raise and the countless lives she touched.

A visitation will be held on Monday, April 6, 2026, from 1PM-3PM at Flanner Buchanan-Memorial Park, 9350 E. Washington St. Indianapolis, Indiana, 46229. A funeral service will immediately follow the visitation, beginning at 3PM.