Adeline Jordan Snell

Adeline Jordan Irving Snell was born in Portland, Maine on Aug. 24, 1922, and died peaceful- ly Sept. 22, 2015 at The Gorham House in Gorham, Maine. In her words: “Born August 24, 1922 (liked even numbers) Portland, Maine. Middle child of three, a sister, Josephine (deceased), a brother, Francis Everett Irving, Jr. (deceased), Mother, Gladys Alma Jordan, Father, Francis Everett Irving. I lived in Portland on Brewer Street, and in Gorham. I schooled in Portland, graduating from Deering High School in 1940. I also graduated from Gray’s Port- land Business College in 1942. I was a secretary to two lawyers in Portland until I got a job at the US Army Station Hospital on Little Diamond Island. After the war, I worked again for a Retirement Board. I met John Edward Snell at a dance that I attended with my best friend Lenora Bangert (where they won a treasured silver dollar for the spot light dance). I had five wonderful children with equally wonderful spouses. Don’t be sad! I’ve lived a good, long life.” Adeline was the area “stay at home” Mom, caring for at least nine children every day after school and younger ones during the day. Her nieces, Mary Morin and Judy Cox fondly remember her warm, comforting hugs. “She was the soft touch.” It pleased Adeline to work many years at the Farmers Home Administration as- sisting families to get home loans. Adeline was a devoted, active member of The First Parish Uni- tarian Universalist Church, 425 Congress St., Portland, Maine and a member of numerous garden clubs and civic organizations. She and her sister Jo Whetstone chose First Parish Church as the foun- dation to raise their nine “kids”. They alternated driving all nine kids to church while the other stayed home cooking Sunday din- ner for thirteen – a tremendous commitment from birth through high school for all nine kids. Family was so important to both Jack and Adeline. Christmas Eve was always spent with Ade- line’s siblings and their fourteen children, rotating to celebrate at each house, always including the Famous Irving Chesse Straws. In later years, Jack’s Snell family gatherings were always held at their house. Together with Ruth Johnson, Adeline was an active 4-H Club Leader for many years. She was known as an expert cook, providing endless, abundant family meals often ending with an apple pie or her famous Saturday Chocolate Cake. Her homemade Toll House cookies, preserves and pickles were sold at the Snell Family Farm. She was an avid reader and scrabble aficionado. She was predeceased by her husband, John Edward Snell and her siblings, Josephine Alma Irving Whetstone and Francis Everett Irving. She is survived by her five children, Johanna Snell Spencer,

 John  Edward  Snell,  Jr.,  wife   Ramona,   Elizabeth   Snell   Mou- lin,   husband   Roland,   Peter   Al- den  Snell  and  Christopher  Rich- ard   Snell,   wife   Kimberley   and    9   grandchildren,   Lisa   Benway,    Sarah  Kowalczyk,  Jonathan  Van- Hazinga,   Margaret   Snell   Deering,  Carolyn Snell, Edward Snell,  Thomas  Moulin,  Rebekka  Snell   Conley and Gregory Snell. She is  also  survived  by  her  great  grand- children,  Mary  Jordan  VanHazin- ga,  Amy  Elizabeth  VanHazinga,   Jack  Andrew  Benway,  William   Hunter     Kowalczyk,     Brooklyn      Elizabeth  Conley  and  the  twins,   Spencer   Lee   Bukher-Snell   and    Trevor Gilmore Bukher-Snell. A service of celebration for Adeline’s life  will  be  held  on  Sunday,   Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. at  The First Parish  Unitarian Universalist Church, 425  Congress St., Portland. To  leave  a  message  of  condo- lence  for  the  family,  visit  www. autumngreenfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, please make  donations  to  her  beloved,  First   Parish    Church,    425    Congress     Street,  Portland,  Maine  04101  in   her memory. The   Autumn   Green   Funeral    Home is respectfully handling arrangements.