Emilia ‘Millie’ K. Dera, loved to cook
Emilia “Millie” K. Dera, 89, of Ocean View, formerly of Bellmawr, N.J., went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, while surrounded by her loving family in the comfort of her home.
She was born in Camden, N.J., May 28, 1930, daughter of the late Andrew Karwan and the late Jozefa (Bolesinga) Karwan. Millie owned and operated her own catering business in New Jersey, Catering by André, for 15 years. She continued her love of cooking, and catered countless events and funeral luncheons at St. Ann Catholic Church in Bethany Beach.
Millie was a member of St. Ann’s Sodality, the Red Hats and also volunteered for ACTS in Clarksville. She was proud to be a mom to her three sons, and took great pleasure in watching her sons raise their families. Millie’s personality and laugh would brighten up any room. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, music and art. Millie also loved sewing, crocheting and having a good laugh.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert J. Dera, in 2009; and a sister, Mary Holliday and her husband Albert. She is survived by her three sons, Kenneth Dera and his wife Joan of Baltimore, Md., Daniel Dera and his wife Risa of Cherry Hill, N.J., and Andrew Dera and his wife Lucinda of Rehoboth Beach; six grandchildren, Jennifer Huttenbach and her husband Lee, Sherry Pomraning and her husband Michael, Robert Andrew Dera, Abraham Dera, Joshua Dera and Rebecca Dera; two great-grandchildren, Alexis Pomraning and Michael Pomraning Jr.; a sister, Victoria Gudaitis and her husband Jim of Colorado; and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 27, at St. Ann Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, where friends and family may call after 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro.
As Millie loved all types of animals; the family suggests memorial contributions in her name to an animal shelter of your choice.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com
