Adeline DiPaolo

PORTLAND — Adeline A. DiPaolo, known to many as Tillie, 96, passed away Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017, at her home and surrounded by family.

Mrs. DiPaolo was born in Portland on May 24, 1921, to Sam and Antoinette Ricci. Tillie grew up in the home she was born in, in the area of Portland known as “Little Italy.” Adeline attended Portland schools and was a proud graduate of Portland High School in 1939. There. she met her “One and Only,” Rosario (“Rocky”) DiPaolo. They were wed on Aug. 27, 1942, and enjoyed 60 years of marriage. Together, they raised six children before Rocky passed away in 2002.

After high school, Adeline worked for her father’s business, Sam Ricci Wood, Coal, and Ice, serving the greater Portland area. Later, she worked 25 years at the First National Bakery in Portland doing quality control, bringing home fresh jelly doughnuts to her six children to enjoy. When the bakery relocated out of state, Adeline began a new career working at St. Joseph’s Manor, where she eventually retired at an amazing age of 88 after 34 years of service.

Adeline enjoyed life and was very active up until a month before her passing. She was a longtime parishioner of St. Peter’s Church in Portland. She was an active member of Sacred Heart Sodality and Italian Heritage. You could often find Tillie and her family at the casino, the Fryeburg Fair, or on an adventure to Boothbay Harbor and North Conway. Adeline enjoyed traveling, frequently going to Las Vegas, New York and Colorado with her husband and family. One of the most memorable experiences of her life was the trip she took to Italy. Not only did Adeline visit the Vatican but she had the opportunity to meet Pope John Paul.

After many years of cooking pasta for the family dinner, Adeline enjoyed going out every morning for breakfast. Her favorite place was the Egg & I, where she was known and loved by the staff.

Adeline was predeceased by her husband, Rocky; her sons, George and Edward; both of her parents; brothers, Lawrence, Sebastian, Edward, Alphonse and Anthony; and sisters, Argentina and Phyllis

Adeline is survived by four daughters, Annette Hoglund of Portland, Diane Morency of Wells, Donna Walstrom of Casco and Debra Sweet of Portland; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be private per the family’s request. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, at 10 a.m. at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church, 72 Federal Street, Portland. Following the Mass, interment will be at the New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.

Donations in Adeline’s memory may be made to Boys Town (online) or 14100 Crawford Street, Boys Town, NE 68010.