Tributes

Adele V. Grell, daughter of the late John Arie & Gertrude La Fleur Vanden Heuvel, entered eternal life on October 14, 2009. She was born March 1, 1921 at Bethesda, MD. She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Clinton L. Grell and infant daughter, Mary Ann, brother & sisters Richard Vanden Heuvel, Lois Vanden Heuvel, Marie V. Smithson and Gene V. Greer. She is survived by her sons Dudley C., Christopher V., Gene L., and John A. Grell, granddaughter Ariana E. Grell, brother-in-law Charles R. Greer, sister-in-law Dorothy Grell Bethea, nephews & nieces Richard, Charles & Martha Adele Vanden Heuvel, and very devoted caregiver Yolanda Leal. In Washington, DC she was, at age 12, a performer with the Jon Brown Kiddies Radio Show for 5 years. She graduated from St. Mary's Academy, Leonardtown, MD, and at age 18 entered and won a talent contest at the Roger Smith Hotel in Washington, DC. As a professional singer, she was well known as "Adele Van" and worked with the Evelyn Tyner Trio at the Roger Smith Hotel, the Pete Macias Band at Hotel 2400; the Paul Kain Orchestra at the Spanish Garden Ballroom in MD, the Café Caprice Lounge and a daily radio program with the CBS staff band. After attending Strayer's Secretarial College, she worked as a secretary for government agencies in Washington, DC, Chicago, and Los Angeles. While working for the Interior Dept. in Washington, DC during World War II, she served as a volunteer Red Cross Nurses Aide at Emergency Hospital. In Los Angeles, at the Dept of Justice, she was a traveling secretary for hearings at the internment camps in the U.S. She also worked for the Los Angeles Police Relief Association. She was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, associate member and past President of Holy Spirit Altar Society. As a parishioner at Holy Spirit for 18 years, she organized and chaired functions to benefit the parish and promote the parish community. She was devoted to her faith, to her family, and to her dog "Huisa". She also was blessed with a keen sense of humor and a special love for animals. A Memorial Service will held at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Monday, October 19th, with the Rosary starting at 10:30am followed by Mass at 11:00am. Celebrant will be Rev. Mgr. Lawrence Walsh. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Animal Defense League a no-kill facility 1300 Nacogdoches Rd., San Antonio, TX 78217 or the charity of your choice.

Tributes

Adele V. Grell

March 1, 1921 - October 14, 2009