Adrienne Marie (Pionk)Nelson

Adrienne was born on April 17, 1933, in Detroit Michigan to Edward and Susan (Palach) Pionk. She was the 4th child of 5. Her siblings who all proceeded her death, Ernestine Kurmas, Ramona Kurmas, Marvin Pionk and Edward Pionk were very important to her. She loved sharing many stories of them growing up in their Detroit and Warren home as well as their time spent on their grandparents’ farm in Parisville, Michigan.

She attended Corpus Cristi Catholic School. There she made friends for life, and she had many wonderful memories. She recalled some of her fondest moments, such as the several speeches she gave in the auditorium that her father never missed. She was thrilled to be chosen among her peers and treasured how pleased her dad was of her. After graduating from Corpus Cristi, she attended Pershing High School in Detroit.

After high school, she accepted her first job as a nanny with the Viviano Family, where she took care of their 3 boys and learned to prepare a wide variety of delicious, traditional Italian foods. Despite the fact that she loved it there, after two years of living away from home, she moved back to her family home in Warren. Upon her return she accepted a position at neighborhood bakery/deli.

It was while working at the bakery that she went on a blind date and met Edward (Eddy) Nelson. Adrienne and Ed quickly fell in love and 11 months after their first date, they were married on August 30th 1952. Together they welcomed 7 children; 5 girls and 2 boys. Adrienne adored her children; they were her pride and joy. She would tell everyone she met about her 7 children and how proud she was of each and every one of them.

A stay-at-home Mom does not get close to describing Adrienne’s life. If anything needed to get done, she would accomplish it, acting as a seamstress, doctor, nurse, vet tech, landscaper, carpenter, or painter, just to name a few. Adrienne worked at Automotive Molding, taught Catechism in Warren, Dearborn and Davisburg, worked at St. Alphonsus School preparing hot lunches for the students, worked as an office assistant for the Capuchin Mission and was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. However, above all, Adrienne’s most beloved job was wife, mother and grandmother.

Adrienne was truly happiest when she was surrounded by her family. In Michigan, “First Sundays” was a favorite of hers as her children and grandchildren would gather at her home to celebrate birthdays or just visit and have dinner. She also loved hosting every holiday and meticulously decorated her home for each. Christmas was certainly a favorite of hers which included many traditional Polish dishes and a beautiful winter neighborhood scene under her tree with lit homes, ice skaters and a nativity scene with details as if it were a picture in the bible.

As her family grew and moved away from Michigan, at 80, she too moved to California. However, that didn’t stop her from visiting her family. As often as possible, she would travel across the US to spend time with family as that is truly what she lived for. Being surrounded by her family filled her heart with love, which was easily seen in her smile when her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were nearby.

Adrienne was preceded in death by her husband Edward and daughter Kathryn. She is survived by Theresa (Anthony) Lerma; Audrey (preceded in death Dan) Harmon; Glenn (preceded in death Gloria) Nelson; Antoinette (Charles) Hudler; Craig (Christine) Nelson; and Mary (Timothy) Barnes. Adrienne is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Adrienne's long and beautiful life will be celebrated in her beloved Michigan on Saturday, June 24, in the Chapel at Van Hoosen Stoney Creek Cemetery at 10:00 am.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fairhavenmemorialservices.com for the (Pionk)Nelson family.