Adele Levy Adatto

Adele Levy Adatto passed away peacefully in her home on August 14, 2015 at the age of 94. Born on December 22, 1920, Adele is predeceased by her parents Adele Oberdorfer Levy and Bernard Gretsna Levy, her brother Otto Levy and sister Madeleine Goldberg. She was the beloved wife of the late Carl P. Adatto, M.D., and mother to Kenneth N. Adatto, M.D. (Be-Be) of New Orleans, LA, Carol Adatto Nelson (Eric) and Phyllis Smith (Tim) of Houston, TX.

Adele was a graduate in the first class of the LSU BSRN Nursing Program, followed by her Masters training at Columbia University in New York. Always proud of her navy and red nursing cape, Adele employed her professional background with her family – treating every bruise, cut or headache with the precision of a nurse, and the loving touch of a grandmother and mother.

An active volunteer for many community organizations, she was President of the Touro Sisterhood, and held positions in its National Federation. She was a docent for the New Orleans Museum of Art and served on the board of NOMA, where for many years she shared her love of art history with visiting students.

As co-chair and editor to NOMA’s Artist’s Palette Cookbook, Adele published her most treasured family recipes. Her famous ‘Bayou Brownies’ and ‘Heavenly Hash’ cakes – still a family favorite –¬ were always well stocked in her freezer and readily available. She shared her love of baking with every child and grandchild who will carry on her culinary legacy. Encouraged by family members, she authored Del’s Delicious Dinners, a cookbook full of her staple dishes and named by her great-grandchild.

Adele and her late husband were world travelers. From riding elephants in the jungles of India to hiking Machu Picchu, and walking the Great Wall of China, they visited every continent but Antarctica. Each artifact in their home told a story about cultures across the globe and their adventures there. Later in life they became avid bird watchers and travelled all over Central and South America on birding trips, making many new friends along the way.

Adele loved swimming competitively as a child, and remained an active swimmer and scuba diver as an adult. Audubon Park, where Adele and Carl enjoyed many rounds of golf with other couples, was also a favorite spot to bring their grandchildren to feed the ducks.

The epitome of joie de vivre, Adele always loved a good party. As a friend said after her passing, “Heaven is a lot more fun today!”

Other survivors include grandchildren Aimee Freeman (West) and Katherine Velie (Brian) of New Orleans, LA, Bradford Adatto (Micha) of Dallas, TX, Justin Nelson (Elizabeth) and Drew Nelson (Piper) of Austin, TX, Kristen Barker (Matt) and Russell Smith (Nancy) of Houston, TX, David Metnick (Mary) of Huntley, IL, Jason Metnick (Merrily) of Phoenix, AZ, and Robert Metnick (Anna) of Portland, OR, as well as 18 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Many thanks to the nursing services of Doris Brackens, Ann Carter, Gertrude Harris, Comelda Walker, and Rose Williams.

A private graveside service was held on August 16, and a memorial service will be arranged at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to your favorite charity or New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans, LA 70124.