Adele D. Sullivan

On November 17, 2022, the world lost a beautiful and kind spirit.
Adele Dilich Sullivan (age 81), was a beloved daughter to Adam and Helen Dilich, sister to Anne “Dolly” Grofik and Michael Dilich, dedicated mother to 4 children James (Margaret) Sullivan Jr., Kevin (Katie) Sullivan, Stephanie (Steve) Hart, Allison (Sam) Black, grandmother to 13 beautiful grandchildren, great-grandmother to 3 and lifelong best friend to Susie Imrem. Adele was the heart and soul of her family, and her love for them knew no bounds.  She was a fiercely strong single mother who raised a family with a commitment to all the right “stuff”…love, kindness, morals, family. She was strong, independent, courageous, gracious, selfless and kind. 

Adele was a role model for us all and shared her many gifts as a proud grandmother/great-grandmother to:

·         Jim & Margaret’s children: Kathryn, Charlie and Molly

·         Kevin & Katie’s children: Jack (Mallory, William and Kinsley), Kevin, Ben (Diana), Sam…and Liz (Martin and Theo)

·         Stephanie & Steve’s children: Megan, Kate and Sarah

·         Allison & Sam’s children: Sam and Quinn

Adele’s commitment to family cannot be better represented than by the love and care she gave her mother, Helen, in her senior years. As is not uncommon with seniors, Helen’s health was a rollercoaster at times. Adele was there through all of it, every day fighting as Helen’s advocate to ensure she got the care and attention she deserved.

Adele lived an amazing life, traveling the world from one end to the other. She shared her passion for travel with others every day by being the best travel agent anyone could ever hope for. She treated clients with the same level of care and attention as she did her family…creating special trips that brought their families together to create memories to last a lifetime. Despite the amazing places she visited, there was no greater place on this earth than Door County, WI; it was here where she found ultimate joy and peace in life.

Adele’s passions went well beyond travel and her family. She had a love for horses throughout her life and was fortunate to have had her own while growing up. She passed her passion for horses down to her daughters and granddaughters, sitting ringside at every lesson and horse show cheering them on. Adele was an avid dog lover. If you were one of the lucky ones to get adopted by her, you would be spoiled every day of your life...just ask Gilley and Ollie!

She also had many hidden talents. From being an accomplished artist to water skiing to learning how to play the banjo, she was always game for trying fun activities. Sporting events for her kids and grandchildren…she was there. Traveling to California to see her grandchildren…she did it often. Cooking her famous pita…we couldn't get enough.

Adele was everyone’s trusted friend, everyone’s rock, someone you could always count on. Her love was limitless, her impact was great. We are all better for loving her and having her in our lives. She was taken from us way too soon and will forever be missed.

A Celebration of Life party will take place on January 14, 2023, at the Clubhouse at Rob Roy, 270 Country Club Drive, Prospect Heights, IL 60070 from 4pm-9pm. In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to donate to The Hooved Animal Humane Society, in support of horse rescue and rehabilitation at: info@hahs.org.

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