Purnima Banerji

Beloved Purnima, who loved to be called “Dida” by her granddaughters, Jasmine (7) and Sofie (5), departed this world two days shy of her 76th birthday in Philadelphia, PA, where she began her American life. Born July 14, 1948, she lived a full, joyful life and passed on July 12, 2024.

Purnima was born in Kanpur, India to Anant and Shobha Chatterjee. She grew up in a loving family with brother Gopal Chatterjee and sister Ranjana (Chatterjee) Banerjee. Their family life involved focusing on arts, culture, and religion; music was in Purnima’s blood. With a Bachelor of Arts and a certificate in music, she sang for all-India radio for a number of years before getting married and moving to the United States.

As an immigrant descending on America, Purnima landed in the United States on February 8, 1975 at JFK airport, newly married to Samir Kumar Banerji of Lucknow, India. They began their married life together in Philadelphia, PA, the city of brotherly love, where their first daughter Anita (Mona) Banerji was born. A few years later, their second daughter Noopur (Banerji) McKenna was born in Norristown, PA. They built a great life and community together in Pennsylvania for more than a decade before she, Samir, and their girls moved to the vast Midwest– Peoria, Illinois. Purnima cherished Peoria and lived more than three decades in Peoria amongst friends who are like family.

She is survived by her husband, Samir; daughters, Anita and Noopur; son-in-laws, Sundaresh and Shane; granddaughters, Jasmine (Mishti) and Sofie (Chutki); siblings, Gopal and Ranjana; and nieces, Mallika Banerjee and Sonal (Chatterjee) Asthana; and nephew, Ayush Chatterjee.

Purnima's visitation will be from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at the Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel, 2021 N. University St., Peoria, IL 61604. Her eulogies and Hindu rituals will follow at 12:30 pm (CST) also on Saturday at the funeral chapel. To livestream the funeral, follow the Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel and Parkview Cemetery Facebook page, and then click on the livestream video link on their Facebook page at 12:30 pm (CST) on Saturday.

Purnima loved flowers, especially roses, but please, no need to send them. If you wish to consider a donation in her honor, here are two organizations to consider:

American Heart Association: Raise Your Way https://raiseyourwayforaha.funraise.org/fundraiser/in-memory-of-purnima-banerji

American Lung Association: American Lung Association - Wall of Remembrance https://wallofremembrance.funraise.org/fundraiser/shane-mc-kenna

Online condolences may be shared with Purnima's family at www.Davison-Fulton.com

Visitation will be held from 12-12:30 pm (CT)

Eulogy remarks from 12:30-1:30 pm (CT)

Religious puja and prayers from 1:30-2:15 pm (CT)

Please join the family for a light, late lunch at the new Banerji residence after 2pm (CT): 11103 N. Rhonda Way, Dunlap, IL 61525

Eulogy remarks to be shared by–

Samir K. Banerji (Purnima’s husband)

Noopur McKenna (Purnima’s daughter)

Mihir Banerji (One of Purnima’s brother-in laws)

Akash Banerjee (One of Purnima’s nephews through marriage)

Krishiv Chivukula (Dear family friend, fondly referred to as a grandson)

Shelu Bhandari (Dear family friend daughter)

Anita Banerji (Purnima’s daughter)