Delia Josefina Zuleta

Delia passed away peacefully on October 30th in Ottawa surrounded by the love of her family. She will be dearly missed by her children Sonia (Balvant), Guillermo, Bernardo (Ludit), and Javier (María Isabel); by her grandchildren Devi (Richard), Anjali (Lucas), Javier Alfredo, María Claudia, Ana Cristina, and María Virginia; and by her great grandchildren Tatum and Naomi.

Delia was born on July 6, 1926 in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Family and friends knew her as Nelia. That was the name her parents intended to give her, but a mistake was made at the registry in Maracaibo and her name became Delia in all official documents. 

In 1950 she married Guillermo Villegas, a handsome man born in Venezuela, but who was taken as a small child to Curacao and raised there. Delia dedicated her life to being a homemaker, making sure her family had a daily family routine, good meals, clean clothes, and a house in order. Most importantly, she and her husband made sure their children were serious about school and received a good education.

Delia had a passion for cooking and loved to collect recipes and try them out. Family and friends said she was a very good cook, and she certainly agreed with them! Her late husband was her biggest fan! She was also attracted by fashion and interior decoration: she followed the trends through TV shows and magazines. 

As the political situation in Venezuela deteriorated beginning in 2000, Delia, her husband, their son Bernardo and his family applied for Canadian residency in 2003. They all arrived together in Canada in April 2005 as landed immigrants: Delia was 78 and Guillermo Sr. was 82 years old. It was a difficult change, but they quickly adapted.

Before coming to Canada Delia's full name was Delia Josefina Zuleta de Villegas. But Immigration Canada shortened it to Delia Josefina Zuleta because there was no space for her married name on the forms. Delia used to chuckle at the idea of becoming an unwed mother at 78! She became witty as she aged and left a wonderful collection of memories and tales to tell.

After her husband’s passing in 2009, she lived on her own in the apartment for several years. Some health issues required her to move to Sonia’s place for a while. On December 2019, at the age of 93, she was admitted at Garry J. Armstrong Long Term Care Home where she thrived and was provided with professional loving care. She had a comfortable room, a beautiful view of the river, and she led a peaceful life. She wore her best clothes every day with matching jewellery which she chose for the week with Sonia’s help. Being well dressed and nicely coiffed gave her a sense of satisfaction and well-being.

Delia enjoyed watching movies and her favourite actors were Errol Flynn, Doris Day, Rock Hudson, and Eddie Murphy. She loved to play dominos and most of the time she won the games to her heart’s delight! She played her last set of games a week before passing! After 19 years in Canada, Delia was still in awe of the renewal of nature after every winter and watching the snow fall through her big window.

Delia only spoke Spanish. With only two English phrases (Good morning/ How are you) and a sweet smile and gentle manners, Delia conquered the heart of many in the residence and everywhere she went. 

From close and afar Delia’s family worked together to fulfill her husband’s dying wish: to look after her till the end of her life. Her departure leaves a void in her family’s lives, but their hearts remain filled with the love she professed for them till the end of her life.

The memorial service will be held at Annunciation of the Lord Parish (Beacon Hill North), 2414 Ogilvie Rd, Ottawa, on Thursday November 13, at 11:00 AM, followed by a reception in the church hall. To attend the memorial service via livestream, use the following link: Delia Josefina Zuleta's Memorial Service         

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Delia's memory to the Shepherds of Good Hope.