Obituary of Adele “Marraine” DeLorey

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Born February 9, 1944, in Upper Pomquet, Adèle DeLorey passed away surrounded by the love of family and friends, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, compassion, and service to others.

Adèle believed in helping people, welcoming everyone, and treating others with dignity and respect. Whether cleaning homes, volunteering in her community, or contributing through Le Club de Femmes, she quietly made a difference in the lives of many.

Her home was always open. Visitors were greeted with her familiar words: "Hello, who's there? And no, don't take your shoes off—the floor is dirty anyway! Come in and sit down." Before long, a cup of tea and something to eat would appear. Hospitality was simply who she was.

Adèle loved cooking and baking. Her pâtés, boudin, stews, and pies were enjoyed by family, friends, and neighbours alike. Her kitchen was her happy place, often filled with the sounds of CJFX radio.

Known for her sharp wit and wonderful sense of humour, Adèle had a gift for making people laugh while sharing wisdom and honest advice. She spoke her mind, always with kindness. For many years, Adèle lived with significant vision loss, yet she never allowed it to define her. She faced life's challenges with resilience, gratitude, and grace, focusing on what she still had rather than what she had lost.

One of her greatest joys was spending time with her beloved sister and best friend, Yvonne ("Petante"), and a close circle of friends. Weekly trips to Sobeys and Tim Hortons became treasured traditions. Though she could no longer recognize faces, she could instantly recognize voices—a gift that kept her connected to the people she loved.

Known affectionately as Marraine to her many godchildren and countless others, Adèle made everyone feel welcome, valued, and loved.

In her final days, she continued to bring people together as family gathered to share stories and memories of beach trips, train rides from Pomquet to Antigonish, camping adventures, and her countless acts of kindness. In true Adèle fashion, she even requested a 7-Up.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 61 years, Henry; her children Cathy (Dartmouth), Paula, Jeffery (Marjorie) of British Columbia, and Chris; and her beloved grandchildren Nikki, Devin, Kaleb and Daniel.

She is also survived by her siblings Martha, Alfred (Adèle), and Yvonne; her sisters-in-law Elizabeth (Zabeth), Annie DeYoung, Isabelle Broussard, Theresa Murphy, and Jean DeLorey; her brothers-in-law Joe (Veronica), Anthony (Carol), Charles (Joannie), and James (Jeannie) Clement; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Adèle was predeceased by her parents, Léo Benoit and Alice (DeYoung), her siblings Louis (Gladys), Charles (Josie), Bernard (Josephine), John, Leo, Gerard ("Gaw") and her in-laws Leonard and Emma (née Durant), Bernadette, Claire, Jerome, Rita, Johnny and Rose.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the PCU staff, palliative care team, physicians, and spiritual care providers whose compassion and support brought comfort and dignity to Adèle's final days.

Adèle's life reminds us that the greatest gifts we can give are kindness, laughter, compassion, and love. She will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always loved.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held from 4-7pm on Thursday, June 4, 2026 in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant St., Antigonish. Funeral Mass 11 am on Friday in  Ste. Croix Church, Pomquet, Reverend Dennis Lamey presiding. Burial in the parish cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Cathy's Place Resource Centre c/o St. Martha's Regional Hospital Foundation.