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With great sadness we announce the passing of Adèle June James on August 22, 2024, at the age of 72.
Adèle was born on June 2, 1952, in Westlock, Alberta, the youngest child of Michael Skowronski and Katie Lukasiewich. She was the baby sister of Len Skowronski, who passed away in March of this year, and Elaine Skowronski.
She graduated from high school in 1969 with top grades and moved to Edmonton to attend the University of Alberta where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
She gave birth to her sons Sean in 1973 and Ryan in 1976. As a mother, she would not merely drop her kids off at school or to soccer practice, but volunteered at the school and coached the soccer team. Without putting any pressure on her sons, she encouraged and actively participated in their academic and extra-curricular activities to ensure they had the support they needed to succeed and thrive.
Adèle worked as a paralegal in Edmonton for four decades, retiring in 2020. Her strong work ethic was widely acknowledged and appreciated, and she made lasting friendships with coworkers.
Adèle was continuously engaged in volunteer work, from heading the neighbourhood Block Parent chapter in the 1980s to hosting home tours for Ballet Edmonton until as late as 2022. She was an active supporter of multiple charities and causes, from sponsoring children with Plan International to making regular donations to the Canadian Red Cross, Alberta Cancer Foundation, The Stollery, and many others.
Adèle’s intelligence and eagerness to contribute put her at the forefront of numerous organizing committees and boards. She took leading roles in her condo board or Homeowners Association and other organizations she was a part of. She developed many friendships with neighbours that lasted long after she or they moved away.
Adèle was also always very active in fitness and social activities. She was an avid dancer, becoming a teaching assistant at the U of A dance club where she developed many life-long friendships. She took Tai Chi classes, joined a race-walking club, and in recent years, she participated in activities with the Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation, taking Qigong classes and joining their choir and drum circle.
Adèle was continually learning, often taking night classes at the U of A while working full-time. Recently, she attended Spanish classes and learned Spanish and then French on Duolingo. She always had at least one book she was reading and regularly tackled the Sudoku puzzles in the weekend newspaper.
Adèle enjoyed seeing and experiencing the world, visiting her brother and sister-in-law in Abu Dhabi, vacationing in the Caribbean with friends and Mexico with family, while regularly visiting family and friends in Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Canmore, Westlock, and beyond.
Adèle was a dedicated and loyal daughter, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, and friend. She remembered everyone’s birthdays, phoning to sing “Happy Birthday” and sending cards and gifts. She never retired from motherhood, helping put Sean through university in Vancouver and being the world’s best grandmother to Ryan’s children, Ashton and Katie, whom she loved dearly.
Despite her cancer diagnosis in 2022, Adèle continued to enjoy life to the fullest, defying doctors’ prognoses while continuing to travel, learn, volunteer, and socialize. She read books and did her Spanish lessons while at her biweekly chemotherapy treatments and had the strength to visit friends and family in Calgary, Canmore, and Vancouver and to go on a family vacation to Mexico in 2023. She endeared herself to all of her doctors, nurses, and home care aides, for whose care and compassion she constantly expressed her gratitude.
We are deeply saddened that we lost our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend so soon. We expected to hear her laughter and feel her warm hugs for another couple of decades. Her mind was as sharp as ever and she maintained a healthy lifestyle, eating well and exercising regularly.
Adèle is predeceased by her brother Len Skowronski (1940-2024) and survived by her sister Elaine Skowronski, sons Sean and Ryan James, nieces Natalie Talbot and Tara Thue, nephew Loren Skowronski, and grandchildren Ashton and Katie James. We are grateful for all the care, wisdom, support, and compassion we received from Adèle and will treasure her legacy and memory.
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July 2 1952 August 22 2024
Death notice for the town of: SHERWOOD-PARK, Province: Alberta
death notice Adèle June James July 2 1952 August 22 2024
obituaries notice Adèle June James July 2 1952 August 22 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Adèle June James July 2 1952 August 22 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
