Adele Zucchi Ames, of Northport, passed away on Oct. 7 at her home, her loving family with her, after a battle with Mesothelioma.
Adele was born in Providence, R.I. on June 5, 1948, a daughter of William and Phyllis Simpson Zucchi. She was the oldest of three daughters. The family moved to Waldoboro in 1949. Adele was educated in Waldoboro schools, graduating from Waldoboro High School in 1966. Adele was a camper and then counselor at Camp Tanglewood in Lincolnville, when she met the love of her life, Dave Ames, in Camden, during a night off from her counselor job. She attended the University of Maine, Orono in the fall of 1966 for one semester, where Dave was attending. Adele and Dave were married in February of 1967. They had two daughters, Pamela in 1968 and Deborah in 1970. Adele and Dave lived with their family in Old Town from 1967 through 2006, prior to the two of them moving to Northport in December of 2006.
Adele worked as a teacher’s aide at Herbert Sargent School in Stillwater from 1971 through 1979 while pursuing her degree in education. She received her Bachelor of Education degree from U-Maine in 1980 and her Masters in Education degree in 1989 from U-Maine. Adele was employed as an elementary school teacher in Alton and at the Lewis Libby School in Milford from 1980-1987, then was hired as a first grade teacher in Brewer in August 1987. She taught at Capri Street School and Pendleton Street School in Brewer until her retirement in 2002. Adele loved her students and thoroughly enjoyed teaching them. They loved her, too, as attested by the many students that still remained in touch with her later in life.
Adele is survived by her husband of 52 years, Dave of Northport; daughters, Pamela Jo Veilleux of Manchester, N.H., and Deborah Zucchi Tukey and husband David of Gorham; grandchildren whom she adored, Blake Adele Parker and husband Nick of Buxton, Jocelyn Ruth Veilleux of Brighton, Mass., Anthony David Dugan of Gorham, Alyson Maria Veilleux of Manchester, N.H., and Alex Reinhardt Tukey of Gorham; mother-in-law, Gianina Galanti Ames of Camden; sisters, Barbara Zucchi and husband Don Johnston of Jefferson, and Carol Zucchi and husband Carl Gushee of North Waldoboro; and numerous nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. She has cousins in Rhode Island who are all part of a very close Zucchi family that had roots in Switzerland, where some relatives still live.
Adele wrote a book on her family’s ancestry and their immigration to the United States, titled, “A Flower for My Papa.” Her “Island Girls” and “Book Club” were also part of a big loving circle. She also cherished all of her friends who gathered each year in Arizona. She certainly will be deeply missed by many loving family and friends.
There will be a celebration of life service at 2 p.m., Sun., Oct. 28 at Hedges Hall, Point Lookout in Northport.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the Ashley Bryan Center, PO Box 263, Isleford, ME 04646, or online at AshleyBryanCenter.org.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at ripostafh.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast.
