Adela Maria Neill (Martinez)
April 30, 1939 - June 30, 2023
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Adela Maria Neill (Martinez) on June 30, 2023. Adela suffered a devastating stroke on Mother’s Day evening. She fought a very hard fight and did so with grace, kindness, and extreme appreciation for everyone who provided her care.
Adela was born in San Jose, Costa Rica on April 30, 1939. At the age of 18 she met John Neill. On August 15, 1955, she decided to travel to the United States to marry John. They called the Seattle area home for the first few years of their marriage. When they wanted to start a family, they soon realized this would not be an easy process. Adela was feeling quite lonely and isolated, so in August 1960 she had her 14-year-old sister Xinia come to live with them and then in 1962 her 18-year-old brother Alberto joined them. Later in 1962 John accepted a position with the Blaine School District as a bus driver. This job would have them relocate to Point Roberts.
In December of 1965, only child Jane was born. Adela stayed at home with her daughter for the first few years. Once her daughter started school, she decided to join the work force. She spent over 30 years cooking at The Cannery, T.J.’s, and then finally the Breakers. Adela decided to retire in 1992 when she became a first-time grandmother. She felt that nobody could provide the loving childcare environment she could. Her grandchildren were truly blessed to have so much of her time strictly devoted to them while their parents were at work.
Adela was predeceased by her parents Luis and Isabel, her husband John, brothers Alberto, Mario, and Javier, and sister Dyala (earlier this year). She is survived by daughter Jane (Keith), grandchildren Brett, Jessica, Christina, and Marissa, great granddaughter Aria-Jordan (who occupied the biggest space in her heart), sisters Xinia (Robert) and Ligia, brothers Alex (Flory) and Antonio, sister-in-law Marta, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins in the U.S., Canada, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.
We love you to the moon and back a million times over. We will never let go of the love, light, and laughter that you brought to our lives. We would like to thank fire chief Christopher Carleton and the PRVFD for their care and dedication, the amazing team at Airlift Northwest for their kindness and professionalism, and finally the wonderful doctors and nurses at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett; we really can’t thank you enough.
