Obituary of Norma Jean Pujia

Norma Jean Pujia passed away peacefully on August 17, 2024 at Calvary Hospital surrounded by her family after a long courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 68 years old. Norma Jean was born and raised in Yonkers, New York and was the loving daughter of the late Edward and Norma Locksa (Grotto). She graduated from Westchester Medical and Dental, where she worked for a surgeon as a medical assistant in White Plains, NY. Norma Jean married her husband, the late Anthony Pujia, in 1977 at St. John the Baptist Church where they enjoyed raising their family for 24 years in Yonkers, NY. Norma Jean spent all of these years as a dedicated mother raising her four children, working in the cafeteria of her children's school and cheering them on as their biggest fan at all their sporting events. She was always present when she was needed most. Even after her husband passed away in 2001, she continued to demonstrate an unwavering strength and commitment to her children by offering wisdom, never-ending support and love in abundance.

Norma Jean was predeceased by her husband, Anthony Pujia, parents Norma and Edward, and in-laws Mary and Alphonse Pujia.

In 2009, she met her fiancé, John Rodrigues of 16 years and they enjoyed those years together, sharing many great memories with their children and grandchildren, spending their summers in their favorite vacation spot in Aruba, and going on weekend trips to Mohegan Sun. John was a pillar of strength and support for Norma Jean during her illness and he cared for her unconditionally.

Norma Jean was a devoted and loving mother to her four children, Jeannine (Anthony), Jessica (Tom), Anthony (Christina), and Danielle and three step-children, Chris (Meghan), Rachel (David), and the late Kristin; cherished grandmother to her six grandchildren, Antonia, Isabella, Alessia, Valentina, Giada and Anthony and four step grandchildren, Grace, Aniello, Marianna and Seraphina. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Anna (Gaetano), brother-in-law Dominick, sister Deborah (Frank) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 from 4PM-8PM at Sinatra Memorial Home located at 499 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers NY 10704. A Funeral Mass will be held for family and friends on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 10:30AM at St. John the Baptist Church located at 670 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers NY 10704. Norma Jean will be laid to rest immediately following at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Norma Jean's name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), the organization that sponsored the clinical trial that she participated in at Memorial Sloan Kettering by visiting https://pancan.org/ or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by visiting https://www.stjude.org/.