Norma Teresa Freire, age 80, of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
Norma was born on June 8, 1945, in Güines, Cuba. She left Cuba in 1961 and later graduated from Miami High School in 1964. She continued her education at Newman University in Aston, Pennsylvania.
A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Norma dedicated much of her life to serving others and giving back to her community. She was deeply involved with The Ministry of Caring, Inc., Mary Mother of Hope House, Catholic Charities, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, the Epilepsy Foundation of Delaware, and was an Ursuline Lay Associate. In 2000, she was honored by Mary Mother of Hope House, Inc. for her tireless efforts in fundraising on behalf of the women’s shelter.
Norma also volunteered at Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children as a Spanish-language interpreter, a role that later became a full-time position as a supervising interpreter. Her compassion and dedication touched countless lives.
Above all, Norma’s greatest joy was her family. She cherished time spent with her loved ones and found happiness in caring for her plants, enjoying music and the arts, traveling to the beach, and watching beautiful sunsets. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francisco J. Freire; her grandson, Gabriel Sorrells; her parents, Dr. Ernesto and Norma Perez; and her nephew, Ernie James Perez.
She is survived by her daughters, Monique Freire Westmoreland (spouse, Avíe Dorley) and Michelle Freire Sorrells (spouse, Thomas); her grandchildren, Jacob Thomas and Sophia Evelyn, all of Wilmington, Delaware; and her brother, Ernesto Perez (spouse, Debbie) and children all of Alabama.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. Viewing will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the church. Interment will follow mass at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Norma Freire to The Ministry of Caring, Inc., 115 East 14th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801-3209 (mail@ministryofcaring.org)
