Adelaide R. Santoleri

ADELAIDE (ROFI) SANTOLERI

(April 1, 1930 – November 14, 2016)

Adelaide (Rofi) Santoleri passed away peacefully on Monday November 14, 2016 at her home of 55 years in Strafford, Pennsylvania. Her strong will to live, coupled with her unwavering faith in God and the love and prayers of family and friends carried her through her final days.

Adelaide was born in Devon, Pennsylvania on April 1, 1930 to Amedeo and Ernestine Rofi. She was baptized at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Strafford where she remained an active parishioner for her entire 86 years. Adelaide is one of four children – her siblings include Dora (Rofi) Novelli (deceased), Jean (Rofi) Zerbato (deceased) and Edward A. Rofi (sole surviving sibling).

Adelaide’s early life was filled with challenges during, and following the depression era, however through her faith, fortitude and intelligence she transcended these hardships. Upon graduation from Eastown High School in 1948 she began her career undertaking several administrative roles in local institutions to include The Devereux Foundation and Bryn Mawr College. During this period she remained very active in her church organizing charity and social events. Even as late as 2014, well into her 80’s, Adelaide was volunteering at the church teaching the pre-school children how to cook – she loved them and they loved her.

Adelaide met her future husband Emidio (Meade) Santoleri just prior to his departure to serve our country in 1952. A Korean War Veteran, the couple exchanged countless letters during Meade’s time in Korean. It is evident that their long distance relationship grew with every letter exchanged. Upon completing his duty, Meade returned home and ardently pursued his relationship with Adelaide. After several years of courtship, Adelaide and Meade were married at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Strafford on January 26, 1957.

In 1958, God blessed the couple with unexpected twins – E. David and R. Steven Santoleri arrived in June of 1958. Eighteen months later, in December 1959, the twins were joined by their sister Anne E. Santoleri. Mark E. Santoleri, the youngest sibling, arrived in May, 1962. By this time, the couple had their hands full raising four children under 4 years old.

Adelaide dedicated all of her time raising the four children with love and imparting all of her values and life knowledge. She insured that her children were also actively involved in the Catholic community. A sergeant at times, she ran a tight ship and everyone, including Meade, knew what was expected of them.

After Adelaide’s children were school age, she began to volunteer at the church and school in a number of capacities – librarian, secretary at the rectory, and in her later years cooking instructor. She also dedicated much time in her devotion to the Blessed Mother and was a member of the Sodality and ran the adoration chapel and rosary group for many years at the parish.

Once her children were off to high school and college, Adelaide began a new career at the Suburban and Wayne times where she remained for nearly 20 years. An avid amateur writer, she had several poems and short stories published during her time there while working in the Classified department.

In her later years, Adelaide dedicated much of her time to her 18 grandchildren. Cooking, shopping and baby-sitting, she never complained. In 1993 her husband of 36 years was diagnosed with cancer – she tirelessly spent the next 9 months lovingly caring for Meade. She was there through all of his treatments and remained a pillar of strength throughout. Meade passed in September of 1994. For the 22 years since his death, Adelaide remained very independent and strong.

Dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and loyal friend Adelaide is survived by: Daughter, Anne S.Whalon and spouse Thomas; Son, E. David Santoleri and spouse Teresa; Son, Mark E. Santoleri and spouse Nora; Daughter-in-law, Carla Santoleri, spouse of deceased son R. Steven Santoleri; Brother, Edward A. Rofi and spouse Andrea as well as 18 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, donations to one of Adelaide’s favorite charities (listed below) would be appreciated:

Generation Life is a movement of young people committed to building a Culture of Life by educating our peers on pro-life and chastity messages and developing news leaders for the pro-life movement.

Generation Life

590 Snyder Ave.

West Chester, PA 19382

www.generationlife.org

Amigos de Jesus is a home for orphaned and abandoned children in Honduras:

Amigos de Jesus

126 Woodland Ave.

Malvern, PA 19333

www.amigosdejesus.org