Grace Angel Adams
June 28, 1921 — May 19, 2018
Grace Angel Adams, 96, was born on June 28, 1921 in Brooklyn, New York to Paul Polena and Rose Porta and entered into eternal rest on May 19, 2018 in Whittier, California.
Grace was met at Heaven's gate by her loving husband, Richard L. Adams who preceded her in death. She was widowed after only 15 years of marriage. She was left to raise two young boys at a time when it was not the norm to be a single mom and with very little help to do it. In spite of it all, she supported them, provided them with college educations and raised them into two amazing men.
With a caring heart and hard working hands, Grace was a Secretary at St. Francis Medical Center for over 30 years. After retiring, she devoted her time to her family, parents, nieces and grandchildren. Grace loved her children, grandchildren and her nieces and nephews. In fact with her niece Bonnie, she had more of a mother and daughter relationship. Her love of children led her to volunteering at the hospital to take care of babies. She worked in the NICU where she was a “baby-whisperer” of sorts to high risk neonates in desperate need of affection. She was loved by the babies, parents and nurses.
Grace was one classy lady. Although she was a beautiful woman, sadly, she never saw herself as such. She was neat as a pin and was an impeccable dresser, always concerned with looking her best even in her last days.
Grace was also a devout believer in the Lord. Every morning she read from the Bible and a number of Christian publications to which she subscribed. She shared with others the many answers to prayer and blessings that she had received from the Lord. She was also not afraid of death, because she knew that she would be going to a much better place when she passed from this earth.
She had made life-long friends going back to school days so it was difficult for her in recent year to lose many of them as she grew older. In the last couple of years she enjoyed the friendship of a number of special women who went to visit her, have lunch with her and they even drove her to places that she felt were too far for her to drive. However, Grace did drive around Downey in her own car up until about a week and half before she passed. Her friends all have said that it was their pleasure and joy to know Grace. She also enjoyed visiting with her nieces who made a point of coming over to visit her. She was ecstatic to live long enough to meet her two great granddaughters, Lulu and Zoe. Grace loved her friends and family and they loved her.
Grace leaves behind her loving family: Son, Richard L. Adams (Carmen) of Montebello, California, Son, Roger E. Adams (Akiko Dohi) of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, Granddaughter, Rebecca Lopez (Anthony) of Chino Hills, California, Granddaughter, Sarah Adams of Chicago, Granddaughter, Rachel Card (John) of Montebello, California, Great-granddaughter, Lulu Anaya Card of Montebello, California, Great-granddaughter, Zoe Belle Lopez of Chino Hills, Shirley Martinez, Karol Martinez, Karin Myers, Jon Martinez, Arlene Andrews (Fred), Michael Andrews, Timothy Andrews, Diana Larson, as well as several other family members and friends who loved her and will miss her dearly.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to one of Grace's favorite charities:
St. Jude Medical Center - www.stjude.org
American Heart Association - www.heart.org
Smile Train - www.smiletrain.org
Condolences may be sent to the family through our web site.
Grace was met at Heaven's gate by her loving husband, Richard L. Adams who preceded her in death. She was widowed after only 15 years of marriage. She was left to raise two young boys at a time when it was not the norm to be a single mom and with very little help to do it. In spite of it all, she supported them, provided them with college educations and raised them into two amazing men.
With a caring heart and hard working hands, Grace was a Secretary at St. Francis Medical Center for over 30 years. After retiring, she devoted her time to her family, parents, nieces and grandchildren. Grace loved her children, grandchildren and her nieces and nephews. In fact with her niece Bonnie, she had more of a mother and daughter relationship. Her love of children led her to volunteering at the hospital to take care of babies. She worked in the NICU where she was a “baby-whisperer” of sorts to high risk neonates in desperate need of affection. She was loved by the babies, parents and nurses.
Grace was one classy lady. Although she was a beautiful woman, sadly, she never saw herself as such. She was neat as a pin and was an impeccable dresser, always concerned with looking her best even in her last days.
Grace was also a devout believer in the Lord. Every morning she read from the Bible and a number of Christian publications to which she subscribed. She shared with others the many answers to prayer and blessings that she had received from the Lord. She was also not afraid of death, because she knew that she would be going to a much better place when she passed from this earth.
She had made life-long friends going back to school days so it was difficult for her in recent year to lose many of them as she grew older. In the last couple of years she enjoyed the friendship of a number of special women who went to visit her, have lunch with her and they even drove her to places that she felt were too far for her to drive. However, Grace did drive around Downey in her own car up until about a week and half before she passed. Her friends all have said that it was their pleasure and joy to know Grace. She also enjoyed visiting with her nieces who made a point of coming over to visit her. She was ecstatic to live long enough to meet her two great granddaughters, Lulu and Zoe. Grace loved her friends and family and they loved her.
Grace leaves behind her loving family: Son, Richard L. Adams (Carmen) of Montebello, California, Son, Roger E. Adams (Akiko Dohi) of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, Granddaughter, Rebecca Lopez (Anthony) of Chino Hills, California, Granddaughter, Sarah Adams of Chicago, Granddaughter, Rachel Card (John) of Montebello, California, Great-granddaughter, Lulu Anaya Card of Montebello, California, Great-granddaughter, Zoe Belle Lopez of Chino Hills, Shirley Martinez, Karol Martinez, Karin Myers, Jon Martinez, Arlene Andrews (Fred), Michael Andrews, Timothy Andrews, Diana Larson, as well as several other family members and friends who loved her and will miss her dearly.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to one of Grace's favorite charities:
St. Jude Medical Center - www.stjude.org
American Heart Association - www.heart.org
Smile Train - www.smiletrain.org
Condolences may be sent to the family through our web site.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Grace Angel Adams, please visit our flower store.