Paulette died Thursday, April 15, 2021. She passed peacefully at her assisted living community in Charlotte , NC, surrounded by her family. She fell Thanksgiving 2020 morning and never fully recovered from the cognitive and physical decline that resulted. She was 91.
She is survived by her son, Rob Adelman, her granddaughter Julia Adelman, her grandson Alex Adelman and Rob’s partner, Theresa Mooney, who she loved like a daughter. She was preceded in death by her beloved son Lewis “Scott” Adelman and her adoring husband, Irving Adelman.
She was born Paulette Odintz in Brooklyn, NY in 1929 to her loving parents, Louis and Sarah Odintz. Sarah moved in with Paulette and Irv’s young family when Louis passed . She soon became a wonderful part of the family and Paulette’s best friend. The two of them would speak Yiddish to each other and their often spirited chats reflected their strong opinions, personalities and love for one another. When Sarah became ill, Paulette cared for her until she passed.
As anyone who ever met Paulette can attest, she was a very smart lady. She taught herself basic accounting and was an executive assistant and administrator. She had enormous compassion and empathy for those less fortunate. She loved mystery novels and read the newspaper daily staying informed about the big issues of the day. She cared deeply about race relations, workers’ rights, the welfare of Israel, the preservation of the planet and the environment and was a dogged detective of crooked politicians and greedy corporations. And she was always “generous” in sharing her views and suggestions to all who knew her and even those who didn’t.
She graduated first in her class at Samuel Tilden High School in Brooklyn, which had close to 6000 students. Not too shabby.
The skills she learned led to a career keeping the books for a number of small businesses. Her last job before retiring was as executive assistant to the Colonel over the Army base on Long Island.
During this period, Irving developed Alzheimers disease. Paulette selflessly cared for him for over a decade before his passing. Her son Scott was handicapped. Her life’s work shifted to become his biggest cheer leader and staunch advocate to ensure he received the best special services throughout his life. When Scott passed in 2019, she moved south to Charlotte to be closer to her oldest son, Rob.
Paulette was a devoted wife, mother, a proud grand mother and conscientious civil servant. She modeled that to do something was to do it right and the best you can. She valued the golden rule, living within your means and above all, loyalty, family and friendship. She never met a stranger and cared and sacrificed for her family without fail. She loved her country and her city and she will be missed by many. May she rest in peace. She earned it.
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