Obituary for Bruce Springsteen mom: Find yourself a little rock 'n' roll bar and dance
Find yourself a little rock 'n' roll bar, and go out and dance.
That's the word from the Springsteens of Freehold as one of the best ways to honor the late Adele Springsteen, mother of Bruce Springsteen, who passed away Jan. 31 in her Little Silver home at the age of 98 after an extended bout with Alzheimer's disease. Her husband and Bruce's father, Douglas Springsteen, passed away in 1998. The call to dance was included in the family's obituary for Adele, submitted Feb. 3 to the Asbury Park Press.
Dance “in lieu of flowers.” Memorial donations may be made to the Women's Alzheimer's Movement (www.thewomensalzheimersmovement.org).
Adele, a graduate of Freehold High School, was awarded “best dancer in the class,” and she and her famous son would often dance together at his concerts. Bruce included a clip of he and his mom dancing to Glenn Miller's “In the Mood,” to announce her passing on Feb. 1.
“Her son, Bruce, said of his mother in his memoir: 'My mom was truthfulness, consistency, good humor, professionalism, grace, kindness, optimism, civility, fairness, pride in yourself, responsibility, love, faith in your family, commitment, joy in your work and a never-say-die thirst for living and life … and most importantly for dancing,” states the obituary, referring to Bruce's 2016 memoir “Born to Run.” “Her eternally ageless and bright spirit lit up the room. All those who were blessed to know her will never forget the light she brought into their lives.
“In Adele’s words, 'As long as we’re happy, healthy and we love each other, that’s the whole thing.'“
More: Adele Springsteen, mother of Bruce Springsteen, has died
More: Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney fete Jon Bon Jovi at MusiCares gala in Los Angeles
The full obituary is below:
Adele Springsteen
Adele Springsteen, 98, of Little Silver passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at her home. Adele was born Adela Rosa Zerilli on May 4, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York, the youngest of three sisters. She resided in Freehold, New Jersey, and Belmont, California, before moving to Little Silver, New Jersey.
Adele graduated from Freehold Regional High School, where she was given the title of “best dancer in the class.” After graduating, she was employed as a legal secretary for 25 years at Lawyers Title in Freehold, New Jersey and 25 years at Bohannon Development in San Mateo, California.
On February 22,1948, Adele married Douglas Springsteen at the St. Rose of Lima Church in Freehold. They celebrated their wedding reception at the Blue Moon Inn in Farmingdale and went on to have three children, Bruce, Virginia and Pam. They celebrated over 50 years of marriage.
Adele and Douglas’ adventurous spirit brought them to California, where they enjoyed the West Coast for 25 years. After Adele’s retirement, she and Douglas logged thousands of miles on their cross country adventures.
After Douglas’ passing in 1998, Adele returned to her home, New Jersey, to join her large extended family and enjoyed some of the happiest years of her life traveling and surrounded by her sisters, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Her son, Bruce, said of his mother in his memoir: “My mom was truthfulness, consistency, good humor, professionalism, grace, kindness, optimism, civility, fairness, pride in yourself, responsibility, love, faith in your family, commitment, joy in your work and a never-say-die thirst for living and life … and most importantly for dancing.”
Her eternally ageless and bright spirit lit up the room. All those who were blessed to know her will never forget the light she brought into their lives.
In Adele’s words, “As long as we’re happy, healthy and we love each other, that’s the whole thing.”
Adele leaves behind an adoring family and many friends and admirers. Her legacy is love.
In lieu of flowers, find yourself “a little rock and roll bar and go out and dance.” Memorial donations may be made to The Women's Alzheimer's Movement.
Adele is predeceased by her parents Anthony and Adelina Zerilli, her husband Douglas Springsteen and her sisters Dora Kirby and Eda Urbelis; and grandson Michael Shave. She is survived by her son Bruce Springsteen & daughter-in-law Patti Scialfa of Colts Neck, New Jersey, daughter Virginia Shave and son-in-law Michael Shave of Lakewood, New Jersey and daughter Pamela Springsteen & son-in-law Bobby Roth of Los Angeles, California. Her grandchildren Christopher and Marisa Shave, Evan, Jessica and Sam Springsteen and Ruby Roth, great grandchildren Samantha, Nicole, Gianna and Jillian Shave and Lily Springsteen.
Subscribe to app.com for the latest on the New Jersey music scene.
Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Obit for Bruce Springsteen mom: Dance in a little rock 'n' roll bar
