Burnett, Adabelle Mary, a 60 year resident of Gardena, passed away on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 in Lawndale, CA after a battle with brain cancer. Born in Tucson, AZ in 1926, Adabelle was 84 when she died. She was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church since 1950. Adabelle entered nursing school in Phoenix, AZ towards the end of World War II and received a registered nurse degree. She met her future husband Hal, an Army Air Corps pilot around the same time. Hal and Adabelle were married in 1949. After the birth of their first child, they moved to Southern California and settled in Gardena in 1950. She worked periodically at St. Francis hospital in Lynwood in the early 1950's then became a full-time housewife raising five children. When the children were older, she began working part-time at the Memorial Hospital of Gardena. She worked in the OB/GYN ward for more than 20 years. Adabelle volunteered her nursing skills with the Gardena Senior Citizens Bureau, Torrance Memorial Hospital expectant mother classes, blood pressure clinics, flu vaccinations clinics and St. Anthony of Padua church and school. Her husband Hal died in 1985. Adabelle was a devout Roman Catholic, attending Mass daily, She was a Eucharistic minister and devoted countless hours to the Church. She tended to the sick and the poor. She always had a cheerful attitude and helped people in countless ways. Her family and friends described her as a wonderful, loving, and caring person.
Adabelle loved golf. She was a member of the women's club at Alondra Park Golf Course for over 40 years. She played golf weekly until her health prevented it. Adabelle loved to travel and enjoyed attending theatre productions with her friends.Her proudest accomplishment was raising five children who all have successful careers and families.
Adabelle is survived by four Sons, Stephen (Lynne), Charles (Karen), Edward (Diane) and Dennis (Monica), and Daughter, Alice Nyman (James). She had nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alice and Harry Richardson, older brothers Harry and Robert, and sister Betty. The Vigil Service will be held at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 7:00 pm. The Mass will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 10:00am. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.