The Wonderful Words Written by my Father --about my Mother!

Biography for Adele Jean Neumen

Adele Jean Asbury was born March 13, 1953 in Los Angeles, California. She was the third child of Jack and Beverly Asbury.

The Asbury’s lived in the Los Angeles area, eventually settling in Hawthorne, California, a small city about 4 miles from the beach and just south of LAX. For the next 15 years the Asbury family lived in 4 or 5 different houses in Hawthorne as they tried to dodge the Neumen family who also lived in Hawthorne, but with a 4 year hiatus to Palmdale.

Finally, when Adele was a sophomore at Hawthorne High School she was introduced to Richard Neumen. This meeting was mostly the fault of her older brother Gary, who had taken Adele to a youth activity at the Hawthorne Methodist Church one Sunday evening. There, Adele was approached by Richard who swept her off her feet with the winning line, “Is Gary here tonight?”

Deftly, Richard continued to impress Adele, and her mother, by being 2 hours late to their first date, a beach party sponsored by the Methodist Church. Adele went anyway, much to the objection of her mother.

Adele countered with a plan of her own: she went on a walk along the beach with her boyfriend - - something Richard knew nothing about until he saw them walking back to the beachparty. So much for a first date, which Richard would refer to as “just a taxi ride.”

However, within six months they became a steady couple and dated throughout Adele’s high school years. Adele excelled in many areas during her youth and was involved in the school newspaper, drill team, and homemaking classes. At her graduation from High School, Adele received a Bank of America award for her achievements in homemaking.

After high school, Adele continued her education at El Camino College where she earned an Associates degree in early childhood education. She practiced what she was learning by spending many hours with her younger sister, Gail, who had joined the family when Adele was 13 years old. She also worked at a pre-school during her college years.

Adele and Richard dated until July3, 1971 when they became engaged. Soon afterward they discussed setting a wedding date. Richard suggested they wait about eleven years when he expected to complete his education. Adele responded in typical loving, but firm-minded fashion by saying, “I’m not waiting 11 years for you!” They were married on December 16, 1972, when Adele was just 19 years old.

Adele never finished her BA degree despite her parent’s promise of a Mercedes if she would graduate. Instead, she had five children, and eventually drove a BMW. Although, Adele always regretted not completing her undergraduate degree, she actually accomplished much more.

After the birth of their second child, Adele never worked full-time out of the home. She babysat children while raising her own. She did sell Tupperware and was very successful, achieving the position of manager and with her own new company car. However, after a month of poor sales because of the illness of her youngest child, Adele was in trouble. The Tupperware distributor owners told Adele she had to get her priorities straight. Without a moment’s hesitation, Adele reached into her purse, pulled out the keys to the new car, and handed them to the surprised distributor. Adele knew priority: her family.

Shortly after that experience, Adele started Just Ducky Pre-School. It was a 2 ½ hour session, held four days a week. Adele used her education to develop a monthly curriculum which always included music, crafts, story time, playtime, and focused on preparation for kindergarten. After a few years, the local elementary school noticed a difference in the children who had attended Adele’s pre-school and they would contact Adele to inquire about the preparation of individual children. The teachers trusted her evaluation of the students’ readiness for school. During the next 17 years, Adele prepared several hundred children for elementary school. She took great pride in her work and the children loved her. She was “Miss Adele” to all of her students and she never forgot any of them.

Adele also developed her creative talents. She was always looked for some new craft to try. The Neumen home was always beautifully decorated with various crafts and paintings that Adele had made. She actually had boxes of home decorations for every season. The homes of many of Adele’s friends were also decorated with her crafts. She always made enough to share. Adele remembered the birthdays of everyone and she excelled at the art of giving.

Adele’s crowning achievement was her children. She thought about, worried about, planned for, and loved each of her children without thought for herself. Once Adele realized one of the children needed something, she would not stop until they had it. Adele never missed any activity when one of her children was involved: dance, sports, scouts, church events. She always wanted her children to do their best and spent all of her efforts towards their happiness and success.

Adele loved music, history, swimming, learning, and travel. But her real love was just loving others. She was a successful leader because she loved people. She also loved the gospel of Jesus Christ. She didn’t like to be told what to do and didn’t preach to others. Instead, Adele developed a Christ-like love for others which included patience, forgiveness, humility, compassion, charity, and selfless service. Adele had a keen awareness of others who were in need. She would often stop to help someone who she noticed was troubled or needed help: a kind word or some attention. Even strangers felt comfortable when Adele offered assistance, even something as simple as looking for ingredients in a grocery store which would be followed by sharing recipes. Adele had a gentle nature and a heart full of love.

Adele suffered quietly for many years with migraines, chronic asthma, and, recently, fibromyalgia. These challenges slowed her, but could never stop her. Then, on August 20, 2008, Adele was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforma, a fast-growing, malignant brain tumor. Because she was not considered a candidate for surgery due to the size of the tumor, Adele underwent an extensive series of radiation treatments concurrent with chemotherapy. Her family kept her at home and cared for her. If love could have healed Adele, she would have won the battle for her children returned every moment of love they had received during their lifetime as they cared for their mother. Just three months after she was diagnosed, Adele succumbed to the illness on November 20. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.