Adelfa “Dely” Abreu Root, 93, passed away peacefully at Lancaster Mennonite Home on Tuesday, January 8, where she was lovingly cared for by family and staff. Born in Legaspi City, Albay, Philippines, she was the daughter of the late Antonino and Valentina Jimena. She was preceded in death by husband John Root who died in 1987, and baby boy Stephen Edward, born and died in 1953.
In 1959, the Abreu family left the Philippines and moved to Elizabethtown, where they joined St. Peter Catholic Church. Dely worked at M&M/Mars until her retirement in 1991. She shared her passion for cooking by preparing delicious meals and desserts for family and friends at her home on East Willow Street. Dely also loved to dance, everything from 1940s jitterbug to the hula and bamboo dancing.
Adelfa is survived by 5 children: Kathy Bevel (Gene), Walter Abreu (Nancy), Mary Knudsen (Sjur), Steve Abreu (Diana), and Beverly Abreu (Kristin); 9 grandchildren: Tony, Darrell, John, and Michael Bevel, Edward and Andrew Abreu, Michael, Christian, and Melia Knudsen; and 7 great grandchildren: Brendan, Ashlyn, Cameron, Casper, Emil, Aiden, and Kenzie.
A Mass celebrating Dely’s life will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at St. Peter Catholic Church, 904 Mill Road, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Interment will take place in St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Elizabethtown.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dely’s memory to Mennonite Home, 1520 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601. Arrangements by Miller/Finkenbinder Funeral Home and Crematory, Elizabethtown. Condolences and memories may be posted online at www.FinkenbinderFamily.com
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