Rina Pullia, passed away on December 8, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Angelo Pullia; loving mother of Rose Wiersema (Kevin Fluharty); dearest grandmother of Christopher (Taylor McNeely) Wiersema and Collin (April) Wiersema; great-grandmother to three wonderful children- River and Ashley McNeely-Wiersema and Winnie Wiersema.

Rina grew up in a small neighborhood in the city of Bari, Italy in the Southern region of Puglia. She came to Chicago as a young girl at age 13 with her family. She often talked of growing up cooking in the kitchen with her mother Anna and her Grandmother and carried on her traditional Southern Italian cooking at home in Chicago. She spoke Italian her whole life, however she always said she taught herself to speak, read, and write English by reading Hollywood magazines which featured the starlets she was so eager to learn about.

Her most beloved hobbies included reading books, playing cards with her friends, watching movies, and of course, cooking. She worked in factories, including Mullins and Motorola - where she met her husband Angelo of 44 years. Rina loved hosting dinners for family and created a warm and loving home, especially around the dinner table. After Angelo passed away, she relocated to Carol Stream, Illinois where she spent time with her daughter Rose and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her life revolved around taking care of her family. Her weekly card games with her neighborhood girlfriends were the highlight of her week. In her later years after moving to Naples, Florida, she enjoyed the sunshine daily, doing crafts, reading and her daily word search puzzles. She loved with open arms and a generous and positive spirit.

A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2024 from 10:30 am until time of service 12:30 pm at Hursen Funeral Home & Crematory, SW corner of Roosevelt & Mannheim Roads, Hillside.

For more information you may call 800-562-0082.