Noranda Frances Gelardi

GELARDI, Noranda Frances (nee Zorzit). April 14,2026. Age 85. Beloved wife of the late Thomas Gelardi. Proud and adored mother of Edie (David) Gelardi Damus, Lisa (David) Gelardi Bottesi, and Sherri (Kurt) Dettloff. Cherished grandmother of Blake, Madison, Makenzie, and Bryce. Loving sister of the late Elida Ribaudo, Mary Bringas, and Aurora Riss. Dear sister-in-law of the late Larry Ribaudo, the late Ben Riss, the late Salvatore “Chuck” Gelardi, and the late Laura Gelardi. She is also survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Luigi and Regina (Del Bel Belluz) Zorzit. Noranda was born in Windsor, Ontario, and moved to Detroit after graduating from high school. Shortly thereafter, she met Tom, the love of her life. They were married for 61 years. She did everything possible to create the best life for their family. Every meal was home-cooked, and every birthday featured homemade, hand-decorated cakes. Easter was celebrated with matching, hand-sewn outfits for her three daughters and herself. Christmas morning was never complete without a visit from Santa Claus. She took every opportunity to make life special. Above all, Noranda loved and cherished her three daughters. They were the center of her universe, and there was nothing she would not do for them. She created a wonderful childhood, giving them opportunities to explore many activities, including dance, gymnastics, cheerleading, ice skating, swimming, and Girl Scouts. She was always present, cheering them on from the front row. This was especially evident in her involvement with Encore’s yearly dance recital, where she handled every detail, both big and small. Her ability to pivot quickly and her keen eye for detail were immensely appreciated. When her daughters married, she welcomed her sons-in-law into the family with open arms, embracing them with love and appreciation. She adored each of them, and they brought her great pride and joy. When it came to her grandchildren, she took every opportunity to be with them—setting aside time each week to spend with Blake, traveling to Los Angeles for all of Madison and Makenzie’s birthdays, and leaving the house at 5:30 a.m. to be with Bryce. Noranda cared deeply for others and gave of herself to make the world a better place. In the early 1980s, she volunteered with Meals on Wheels and was known to purchase personal items for a shut-in on her route. For many years, she organized Backpacks for Kids and Coats for Kids. Later, she ran the kitchen for the Macomb County Warming Center, providing shelter and hot meals for those in need. In 2010, she received the Outstanding Warren Volunteer Award for her work there. She was a founding conference member of St. Faustina’s St. Vincent de Paul. For the past 10 years, she passionately managed the food pantry, helping families in need with food and essential supplies. Living by her motto, “Just ask—the worst they can say is ‘no,’” she secured numerous donations that helped hundreds of families. She loved cooking, entertaining, sewing, and ceramics, but her greatest passion was her garden. Her flowers put on a beautiful display each summer for all to enjoy. She had a remarkable gift for helping them flourish, evident in the beauty and abundance she created year after year. Her garden also produced numerous vegetables, including cucumbers, herbs, lettuce, and many varieties of tomatoes. She received two City of Warren Beautification Awards in 2017 and 2025. A lifelong learner, at age 36, Noranda returned to college. She earned her associate degree and began a career as a Purchasing Manager at Trac-Tech. She became known for her sharp negotiating skills, strong work ethic, and ability to build lasting relationships. Noranda will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her unwavering love, generosity, and the joy she brought to all who knew her. She was known for saying, and would want us to remember, “to count our blessings.” Visitation will be held Sunday from 3-8pm with a 7pm Rosary at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc. 36900 Schoenherr at Metro Parkway (16 Mile). Instate will be Monday at 10am. Mass at 10:30am at St. Faustina Catholic Church, 14025 12 Mile Rd, Warren, MI 48088. Entombment at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. Vincent de Paul, St. Faustina Conference. Please share memories with the family at their "On-Line Guestbook" at WujekCalcaterra.comok" at WujekCalcaterra.com

Noranda Frances Gelardi

September 17, 1940 - April 14, 2026