Adelaide G. Sweeney

(nee Dean) On March 29, 2022 of Washington Twp.  Age 89.  Devoted mother of Richard J. (the late Diane), Adelaide McCauley, Gary F. (the late Debbie), Mary Guglielmo (Frank), Kevin D., and the late Thomas D. Sweeney.  Loving grandmother of Colleen, Danette, Kellie, Thomas, Michael, Jillian, Stephen, and Carly. Loving great-grandmother of 13.  Proud great-great-grandmother of 3. Dear sister of Irvin F. Dean (Claire).

Adelaide Sweeney (Dean) was one of 13 children, born in Philadelphia, on September 27, 1932. She had six children, one of whom died in 1973 (Tommy). He was the third oldest and passed at 16 years of age. The family moved many times, all in Philadelphia, and attended various schools. All of this while she worked full-time. She had a community of family and friends who helped in so many ways throughout our lives and Adelaide provided that role to many along the way also. She moved to New Jersey in 2000 and worked at McDonald’s until she was 81. She worked hard and they were kind to her.

Throughout her life Adelaide was known to be strong, fierce, formidable but also generous, caring, protective. She was afraid of nothing or no one. There is nothing she wouldn’t do or didn’t do for her family and friends. Her strength was not just in her character, she was physically strong– well into her 80s. She could have a house full of men in the living room and she would be moving the refrigerator out in the kitchen. She would never ask anyone to change the water bottle on the cooler. She was strong!
Adelaide loved to cook and always cooked for a crowd. You could call her last minute and bring 4-5 extra people and there would be enough –more than enough. She collected cookbooks and we could not even guess at the number. We have cookbooks if any anyone is interested (LOL).
She had special relationships with her grandchildren. She was available and supportive. She was a character. There are so many Mommom stories.
She was diagnosed with lung cancer. Thanks to Cass Durante’s diligent scheduling and attending all of her doctors’ appointments for many years, the cancer was found early. She had surgery and was great.

In the past few years, dementia was creeping in but we didn’t really talk about it. She knew she was forgetting things but powered on. I don’t’ believe she ever had a day where she felt sorry for herself. She didn’t have time for that. She was active and helpful and in charge.

In 2019, she suffered a large brain bleed, and survived. But in the years following, she had difficulty walking.

Her life was well-lived. She taught us, her children, how to be a family and by extension, her grandchildren. We know how to take care of each other and we are who we are because of her.

Family and friends are invited to attend her visitation Tuesday, April 12^th, 9:00-11:00 AM at the Egizi Funeral Home, 119 Ganttown Rd., Washington Twp.  Funeral service 11:00 AM.

“A Life Well Lived Is Worth Remembering”