Adele Katherine Bonciolini
Nov. 1, 1924 – Oct. 14, 2016
Adele Caterina Rora Bonciolini died Oct. 14, 2016 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. She was born Nov. 1, 1924 in Tacoma, Washington. Adele was the oldest daughter of Anna Pasero of Venasca, Italy and Dominick Rora of Isasca, Italy. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma in 1943. She married Joe Bonciolini in 1948. Adele was a loving wife, and a mother of four. During her lifetime she was an active member at her parish church, the Lincoln Lady Lions, the League of Women Voters, Kitsap County Literacy Council, and other organizations.
She was creative, funny, curious and bright, keeping her children engaged with activities from sewing lessons to newspaper routes. When her husband was on strike she would stretch a gallon of milk for weeks with powdered milk and learned to bake delicious bread and cinnamon rolls.
At 39, she began to fulfill her dream of a college education, receiving her teaching certificate in the late spring of 1968 at age 44. By fall she was teaching at Sunset Elementary in University Place. Sadly, her dear husband Joe, died unexpectedly of a heart condition in November of that year. Thankfully, she had a profession she was passionate about and could count on for years to come.
She loved to travel when she could and found her mother’s family home and relatives in Italy. She participated in Elderhostel volunteer opportunities, and traveled to New Zealand at 83 years old.
Though access to the wide world began to shrink around her as she grew older, she kept busy with her daily exercise classes — water aerobics, Tai Chi, chair yoga, and line dancing.
She had a generous heart, open arms and a compassionate ear. She genuinely wanted to help wherever she could. In the end, her loving heart couldn’t beat any more. She died peacefully and quietly with all her children and family members present. Her children and grandchildren are grateful to have had her in their lives for as long as they did. Her smile, laughter, sense of humor, and twinkle in her eye will be dearly missed.
She is survived by her children, Diane Adele (Gregg Mesmer) Bainbridge Island, Dennis Joseph (Suzanne) in Oregon, Sheryl Anne Larsen (Dan) Scandia, Washington, and Lisa Ann Gordon (Terry) of Savage, Minnesota; her sister, Marjorie Anderson (Doug) in North Carolina; eight lovely grandchildren and many nieces and nephews she loved.
A memorial Mass will be said on Saturday, Nov. 5, 11 a.m. at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church on Bainbridge Island. A reception lunch will follow in Conger Hall.
Please bring memories and stories to tell. In lieu of flowers please offer donations of your choice in Adele’s name to any of the following: St. Cecilia’s School, Helpline House, Bainbridge EMT’s, or Island Care Givers, all on Bainbridge Island.
