Adelia Mary DiPaolo-Pirie

Adelia Mary DiPaolo-Pirie, in her 87th year of celebrating life, peacefully passed away to her Lord on March 6, 2012. Adelia (a.k.a. Claire, Nonna) was born on August 11, 1924, to the late Giuseppe and Annina (Molina) DiPaolo. She was born in Bethlehem, PA, and was raised in Baltimore, MD. Adelia was one of six children- deceased sisters Adele, Irene, Mary, and brother, Julius. She is survived by her loving sister, Lydia (living in Baltimore). Adelia was happily married to the late Alan Francis Pirie, and the proud parents of loving daughter Julie Pirie-LaFrance (Rochester, MI), and son Alan, Jr. (Florida). Adelia's proudest possessions were her four beautiful grandchildren, Tanner- age 16, Cameron- age 15, Sawyer- age 13, and Paulina- age 11. She loved and cared for her grandchildren who she often referred to as her own. She was a wonderful inspiration in their lives, and was a large part of their upbringing. Adelia was raised during the heart of the Great Depression where she lived in the upstairs of her father's grocery store. Her mother, Annina, tragically died when Adelia was 9 years old, leaving her husband to raise six children as a single parent. She was pulled out of school in the 8th Grade to help her father run the grocery store. During her late teens and early 20's, Adelia received a music scholarship at the exclusive Peabody Institute in Baltimore, MD, where she eventually sang professionally. Her beautiful voice was magical throughout her life, and she often sang opera and Broadway songs as she went about her daily chores. Visitation for Mrs. Pirie will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2012, from 5-9 PM, at the Potere-Modetz Funeral Home, 339 Walnut Boulevard | Rochester, MI 48307. Mrs. Pirie will lie in state Friday 9:30am at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1400 Inglewood in Rochester, until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10am. Celebrating the Funeral Liturgy will be Rev. Fr. Joseph Gagnon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mary's Mantle'..a Catholic Pro-Life Shelter for Expectant Single Mothers. P.O. Box 115, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303.Please share memories of Claire at her guest book.