Obituary of Adele-De Paul

de Paul - Adele Adele was born in Montreal in 1915. Excelling in music, playing the piano and the harp. When Adele was only twelve, her mother passed away. Inspired by her mother, she took up the responsibility of the nurturer. Adele met Joe de Paul and married in 1942. In the 1950's Adele's longstanding involvement in the community began. Adele's first volunteer position was Secretary/Treasurer of the Society for the Retarded. In 1954 Pat McFee and Adele started the Beacon School and taught handicapped children well into the 1960's. In 1954 Adele was elected to the Board of Directors and performed the duties of Executive Director of the Society until 1981, developing programs to provide school buildings, sheltered workshops, and three group homes for the mentally challenged, enabling them to live independently. Adele also served on the boards of the United Way, New View Society (helping those with mental illnesses), and Polaris (helping handicapped people find employment). Adele was busy in the parish too. Adele served as president of the new St. Peter's Elementary School PTA, worked with St. Vincent de Paul Society, worked on many St. Patrick's Day teas and Tuesday night Bingo nights helping with refreshments. Adele also belonged to a group of volunteers who visited patients at Queen's Park Hospital and helped out with social evenings of music and ballroom dancing. Many long lasting friendships were made in those years. You could see Adele on Sundays sitting in the front pews of St. Peter's church with her snow-white hair and her warm smile. Adele was predeceased by her husband Joseph and grandson Bruce. She is survived by her sister Myrt and lovingly remembered by her children, Joanne (Julian), Tom, Elaine (Paul) and Valerie (Aaron), grandchildren Greg (Mulan), Louise, Alisa, Travis, Janna, Sarah (Kevin), Steven and Christopher, also 9 great-grandchildren, Ross, Brody, Hailey, Jacob, Wyatt, Sean, Riley, Tyler and Julia. She also leaves behind many loving family and friends. Prayers will be held on Tuesday, February 10th at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass at St. Peter's Church, 402 Royal Avenue, New Westminster on Wednesday, February 11th at 12:00 pm with interment to follow. Columbia-Bowell 604-521-4881