Adarae (Allen) Gildea passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family on November 18, 2022.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Adalaide (Mercer) and Ray Allen, and her sister, Monica Haas. She is survived by her husband, Jerry Keith Gildea; her children, Juli (Len) Sheaffer, Brian (Anita) Gildea and Amy (Steve) Schanz; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Brandy Gildea, Ryan (Chelsea, Cade and Cole) Schanz, Ashley (Dakota, Dillon, Dawson and Deklan) Slemp, Kyle (Rachael, Grace and Kylie) Sheaffer, Dustin Schanz, Rebekah (Wes, Rowen, Remi and Riley) Blaha, Chelsie (Erik Ortiz) Schanz, Hannah (AJ, Noelle and Noah) Nick. In addition, many other extended family and great lifelong friends.
Adarae loved every moment of life along with her husband and soulmate of 64 years. She led her family with the love she taught to give openly and endlessly. She loved to laugh and loved to hear people laugh.
She loved puzzling and knitting (dispersing quite the collection of wool slippers around town). She loved making memories through her love for the outdoors, traveling (especially the Upper Peninsula), baking without recipes to follow, mentoring her campers at Camp Michigamme, the 4th of July Parade in Grand Marais, the students she drove for 25 years as a bus driver, her aerobics group in Allegan, the coloring ladies at Mezzo, her snowman collections, playing cards, family traditions, kayaking, biking and then telling “everyone” about it. She never met a stranger.
Now we get to carry on her traditions as her faith has carried her to her Lord. Many will dearly miss her, but when nothing makes sense and the sadness takes hold: Love like Adarae.
According to her wishes cremation has taken place.
Friends may visit with Adarae’s family starting at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, December 3, 2022 at the Merson Church, 3313 102nd Ave., Gobles, MI 49055, until the time of the luncheon at 12:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Adarae may be made to Camp Michigamme.
Messages of condolence may be posted at www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Rond and Cindy Roberts
Dear Gildea Family,
We are so sorry for the loss of your dear, sweet Adarea. May God comfort you and hold you close as you continue to remember the love you shared with her. Our prayers are with you now and in the coming months and years.
Renee Vives
Adarae was so special. (Jerry too). She taught me how to knit, be patience, how to follow Jesus and selflessness. My life has been so blessed by having her in it. Thank you Lord. The gift of God Is Eternal Life. Looking forward to having an eternity with my friend. God is Good
Tammi Lamper
There is no one in this world like your mother. She was a special person, and she will always be with you.
Corinne and the coloring group
Gildea family,
Adarae has left a big hole at our coloring table at Mezzo! We miss her singing random songs, reminiscing with mom about their childhood, showing pictures on her phone and just being so silly with us. She will be hugely missed and never forgotten!
Mikie Dould
I will miss her so much. My prayers are with all of you that have to go on without her near. We know that she is with her Lord now and she’s well again. God bless all of you.
Kim Christman
Amy &Juli, my sincere condolences for the lost of your Mom.
I’m so sorry and will be praying for you and your family.
Heather
What beautiful sentiments. ‘She never met a stranger’ is so accurate. From the moment I met Adarae she embraced me like family and I am grateful for every laugh of hers I was fortunate enough to hear. She will be sorely missed and I will carry her traditions & remember to Love like Adarae.
Jackie Esterline
I met Adarae at Camp Merrie Woode when we were 15, and we became close friends on into college at Westen. After we met and married our husbands, we still bumped into each other through kids in school events, and other times over the years. I’ve never forgotten the good times we shared and am glad to see she never changed her caring, loving ways. I think of her often, with fond memories. Miss ya’ kiddo!
Jackie
Kathy Steele
Jerry and family,
Heaven just received an angel! I was so blessed to have met Adarae as we were both driving school bus ! We walked and talked alot! We went to step aerobics together! We even shared the same birthday !!!! My fondest memory was, we played hooky, rented a convertible and drove to the beach on our birthdays! Oh what a great day! Fly high my friend!
DeAnna Janssen
How appropriate…..two angel bus drivers that were friends! Kathy…Adarae was my bus driver as a child and you were my childrens’ bus driver (Bryce and Emily Janssen)!! So very sorry for the loss of your friend!
DeAnna (Walker)Janssen
Adarae was my bus driver and was a saint. She and Jerry came to my graduation and recorded it for me as a gift. After graduation…my boyfriend (now husband) Jon and I played cards with them a few times. Very sweet people and I have thought of Adarae many times over the years. You have to be a very kind person to put up with all the yahoos on school buses…..and she was wonderful!! Rest in Peace Adarae!! I hope your family finds some comfort in reading these words. I lost my dad this year and hearing all the wonderful things about him, and how people thought about him helped me with my grief!
Barbara & Kerry
Dear Jerry and family, we are so sorry for your loss. ADARAE was such a joy to all of us who knew her, however we know that our loss is HEAVENS GAIN.
diane beam
Jerry and family
I worked for many years driving bus with Adarae. She was always so bright and bubbly!
She was talented in so many ways, Always doing something,
She was an inspiration to myself and many others!
Rest in peace sweet lady
Eva
To my cousins Jerry and Christa. Sadly it has been too many years since we’ve seen one another. I have such wonderful memories of our early years. One of my fondest was when Jerry added Adarae to thefamily. She truly was a beacon in my young life. I so wanted to be with you today but a bout of flu knocked me down this week. I hope someday we can catch up. My heart will be with you. Love and Hugs Eva