After courageously battling cancer for two years, Adele died peacefully in her Saanich home, Sunday, March 15th 2020. She is survived by her loving husband Mark, her children, Jonathan, Sandra (Glen) and Kathleen, and her sister Christine (Warren) and brother Calvin. She is predeceased by her parents Charles and Wilma Koch, and brothers Eric and Brian.
Adele was born on May 8th 1950 in Kitchener, Ontario and grew up on her parents’ dairy farm near Conestogo Lake. After graduating high school, Adele moved away from her rural upbringing. She attended both Stratford Teacher’s College and Mohawk College, worked in manufacturing, a cookie factory and as kitchen staff in a hospital, and volunteered on behalf of the Mennonite Church, spending time in the USA in both Portland and Los Angeles. The mid-seventies found Adele living in Vancouver, working at the Bank of Montreal/University of British Columbia. Little did she know, but this is where her life would soon take a fateful turn.
In 1975, on a pre-Christmas flight to visit her parents, Adele met a somewhat charming naval officer. Adele and Mark were married on October 16th 1976 in Waterloo, Ontario and immediately thereafter moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia where Mark joined his ship. Their honeymoon was nine months later.
The family, which would become five in number, lived in Nova Scotia for nineteen years. After spending time at home with her children, Adele worked varied employment and was active in the Girl Guides. 1995 found Adele back on the West Coast with Mark’s posting to the Esquimalt naval base. After obtaining her insurance license, she spent the rest of her career at Coast Capital Insurance retiring as a Senior Underwriter in 2016.
Adele was an exceedingly kind person with a witty sense of humour which endeared her to many. An astute game player (crosswords, scrabble and crib), Adele enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, travelling and living on the West Coast.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Angela Owens
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Muriel Sitter Muriel Sitter
I had the great pleasure and privilege of working with Adele for many years. Adele & I spent many days over in Vancouver when we started working with “Richmond Savings” – training the staff. Adele & I went to a different restaurant every night. It became a great game to decide what type of food we would eat – Italian – Greek – Chinese. Adele was a smart, caring person who loved her family and extended that caring to her “work” family. Adele you will be missed.
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John MacLean My condolences to you and your family Mark. I know the tremendous struggle that Adele struggled through and my heart goes out to you.
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Kim Flowers Mark to you and your family, I’m so sorry for your loss and send condolences from the Flowers family. The family that lived in your backyard growing up. I can’t help but remember the day you were married just outside of Kitchener, I was in charge of serving refreshments and it was such an amazing reception, everyone had so much fun and so many laughs. That memory still brings a smile to my face whenever I think of it. Thinking of you and your family at this time.
Kim Flowers
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Hansika Roy Adele came as a blessing and changed my life. She helped shape my career and future in Canada. She was one of the kindest and sweetest person I’ve ever met. Will miss her and forever be grateful to her. My deepest sympathy to the family.
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Hansika Roy Adele came as blessing and changed my life. She helped shape my career and future in Canada. She was one of the kindest and sweetest person I’ve ever met. Will miss her and forever be grateful to her. My deepest symptahy to the family.
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Katie Walker Uncle Mark, Jon, Sandra & Kathy:
Sending our most heartfelt condolences. Aunt Adele was so kind and will be sorely missed. We are thinking of you, and sending our love.Love,
Katie & Jesse
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Lee Daugharty Dear Mark & Family,
I am very sorry to hear of Adele’s passing. The years have flown by so quickly and the wedding seems a recent memory. She has left an indelible footprint.
God speed.
Lee Daugharty
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Caleb Geauvreau I first met Adele in 2014 in my early twenties when she hired me to be an Underwriter on one of the teams she managed. She was such a kind, caring person and I believe many saw her as a mother figure – I know I did. She had such a kind spirit and always handled my wild self with grace and humour. I can remember showing up to work with 6 hickies visible on my neck; she gave me that well-known over the glasses mom look, shook her head a bit, and cracked a little smile. Or the time when I (without thinking) held a door open for her and she just smiled and said, “No, thanks Caleb.” and then I realized I was holding open the door to the men’s restroom for her. I am truly grateful for the couple of years I had the privilege of working with her and all of the wonderful memories I still fondly recall. My deepest condolences – I know the loss will be felt by many.
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Christine Berkey I am so sorry. Cancer is a terrible thing but it cannot take away your love or your memories or the many lifelong changes she no doubt made to others’ lives because of the woman she was. Cry hard and let it help heal you. Stay strong so the four of you can forge a new togetherness. Much love, your cousin Christine
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Lynne Lucas May your memories of your marriage to Adele, the birth of your children and the love and laughter you have all shared, sustain you thru this next stage in your lives.
Sending love to all.
Byron and Lynne Lucas
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Bonnie Abrahams We are so sorry to hear of Adele’s passing. Wishing you Mark and your family peace and strength
at this difficult time.Ian and Bonnie Abrahams
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Ted Breadman Mark and Family,
Adele was such a wonderful person. Your soul mate for so many years. Just an observation – seems to me as older I get, whenever there is a death of someone I know, a lttle peice of me dies to.
Sorry for your loss my Friend
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David and Carol Reece I have known Mark for 12 years after first crossing paths at HMCS Discovery. Circumstances, sadly, prevented my wife and I from ever meeting Adele but knowing Mark, Carol and I have no doubt she was a lovely and remarkable person and our lives would have been enriched had we known her better. Our hearts go out to Mark and all his and Adeles family during this trying and saddest of times.
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Susan Lennon Mark, I am so very sorry. I remember when you and Adele stopped by to visit my family in Kamloops. Although well over 40 years ago now, Adele’s kind and gentle nature made a lasting impression. Wayne and I extend our deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Susan and Wayne Lennon
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Rick Parent Mark, you and your family have our deepest thoughts and prayers. It was my great privilege to know and work with Adele. I greatly appreciated her, ” keep calm and carry on” style of leadership at the office, and her ability to accomplish any job with a can do attitude. Adele contributed greatly to the success of Coast Capital Insurance. She also made a significant difference to the lives of many young women she trained, mentored and lead. I will miss Adele, but I will always be grateful to her.
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Pat Delorey Our Thoughts and Prayers are with You and Your Family. Adele sounded like a wonderful person.
Hugs Cousin Pat Delorey
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Kathy Webster I had the pleasure of working with Adele at Coast Capital Insurance for 21 years. She always showed an interest in her fellow co-workers and was a pleasure to work with. Adele was kind hearted, fun, smart, and always put others first. She was the mother hen in our office. I enjoyed our many chats and lunchtime get togethers talking about our families, our kids successes, and life in general. Adele will be missed by all. My heart goes out to Mark and the family. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
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Chris Fox My sister, my friend, my confidante, how I will miss you. But you are on your next journey, till we meet again
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Phil Naylor Mark,
So sorry to hear about Adele. Charlotte and I were just talking about the lovely evening we spent with you and your family at your house near Halifax those many years ago.
Please accept our deepest sympathy for you and your family.
Phil Naylor
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Robert Guglick Mark, we are so sorry for your loss. Out thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Take care my friend.
Barb and Rob Guglick
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Lynda & Gary Walker Our hearts go out to all of you in this time of sorrow. Adele was a wonderful person who will be missed by all.
Hugs, Lynda & Gary Walker
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Glenn Fletcher MARK, JON, SANDRA + KATHY
I still remember mom and dad flying out to meet Adele for the first time and how thrilled they were after they met her.
Anne and I have many fond memories of Adele.
I think Adele would say to her children, live your lives and be happy.
Adele will be missed and she will always be in our hearts.Glenn and Anne Fletcher
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Darlene Kerruish I will miss your smile and the time we no longer have to enjoy our retirement together. You will not be forgotten.
Safe journey my friend.
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Meghan Walker What an incredibly beautiful tribute to a beautiful person. Aunt Adele will be very missed by all who knew and loved her. Thinking of Mark, Jon, Sandy, Glen and Kathy. Sending so much love.
Love Meghan, Jamie, Ben and Alex
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Kelvin and Elmarie The little goody tray we traded periodically during celebrations, especially every Christmas, will not be left empty. It is filled with memories of you, much love and most of all with your lasting legacy of kindness and knack to make us feel good.
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Kathleen Fletcher LOVE YOU LOTS!
Angela Owens
I worked with Adele for many years…at Coast Capital Insurance. She
was such a positive and happy person. Her love for her family and her caring ways towards me and fellow employees was amazing…She was definitely the momma bear of the team. I am sorry Mark and family for your loss ….Until we meet again Adele.
Angela