Obituary of Adelle Deacon

Peacefully at her home in Toronto on Tuesday, October 25, 2016, at the age of 89. Predeceased by her beloved husband Paul Deacon. Loving mother to Anne, Wendy, James, Andrew (Andie) and Jennifer. Adored grandmother to J’bai (Roland), Tao (Andresa), Simon (Vera), Matthew (Katherine), Charles, Eleanor, Bodie and Delia and 10 great grandchildren. Predeceased by her much-loved sister Elizabeth Davidson, and dear aunt of Caron DeVita and a long list of nieces and nephews on the Deacon side. Devoted sister-in-law to Kathleen Hofmeyer, Frances Deacon and Esther Deacon. The daughter of Charlotte and Kenneth Smith, Adelle graduated from the University of Toronto (where she met Paul), taught at a nursery school and then became a volunteer force in Toronto and Ottawa – for years working in the children’s cancer wing at the Princess Margaret Hospital, and for decades with the National Ballet of Canada and the National Ballet School. Through community foundations in Toronto and Ottawa, she generously supported, among others, the Michener Awards Foundation and Parkinson’s research. More than anything, though, she was the loving heart of a close and lucky extended family, sharing her passion for books and travel, the arts and baseball. She handled the loss of mobility to Parkinson’s with amazing grace, helped by the tireless care of Sabrina Agmata and Jona Seminio. Visitations will be held at Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre, 375 Mount Pleasant Road in Toronto on Thursday, November 3rd between 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held in ST. ANDREW’S UNITED CHURCH, 117 Bloor St. East, on Friday, November 4th, at 2:00 p.m. If desired and in lieu of flowers, donations to the National Ballet of Canada (national.ballet.ca), the National Ballet School (www.nbs-enb.ca), or Parkinson Canada (www.parkinson.ca) would be appreciated.