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Adele Giller, 86, the kind of teacher you never forget and a lifelong educator known for her creativity, spirit and unwavering belief in every child's potential, died peacefully Saturday in Lake Worth, Fla. She was 86.
Adele's career in education spanned more than seven decades. She began teaching in the Bronx and Binghamton, New York, then spent time in Kansas City, Missouri, before settling in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1968. There, she spent 45 years with the Hollidaysburg Area School District, where she helped shape gifted education and became a beloved figure in the community. At her retirement in 2013, she was the district's longest-serving teacher.
To know Adele was to know a true teacher. She believed in giving students room to explore while also inspiring them to lift others along the way. Her classroom emphasized connection -- she encouraged peer tutoring, big questions and creative thinking. Many former students remember her as the teacher who truly saw them. Adele held a bachelor's degree in elementary and music education from Hunter College; and a master's in curriculum and supervision from Penn State University. She completed her graduate degree in 1975, the same year she survived a serious car accident -- an experience that made her even more determined to make the most of every day.
After retiring, Adele moved to Florida, bringing with her the same energy she brought to her career. She served as president of the Brandeis National Committee's Wellworth Chapter, organizing educational and cultural programming throughout the West Palm Beach area. She was also an active member of Temple Shaarei Shalom in Boynton Beach, where she volunteered her time wherever she was needed.
Adele married her high school sweetheart, Ed, when she was 17 and he was 18. They built a beautiful life together -- raising three children, moving across the country and supporting each other through everything that came their way. Their marriage was a true partnership: one shaped by love, loyalty and a deep sense of trust. The world they created together was always alive with warmth and laughter.
What brought Adele joy revealed the heart of who she was. She filled her home with music, traveled the world with Ed and delighted in time with family. Whether she was playing the piano, exploring far-off destinations, or making memories with her grandchildren, she gave each moment her whole self. Through it all, Adele stayed curious, grounded by the belief that there was always more to learn.
She is survived by her husband, Ed; two daughters, Marjorie (Bruce) and Phyllis; and was predeceased by her son, David, who passed at 16. She also leaves behind grandchildren: Brittany, Mark (Angelique), David, Doug and Daniel; as well as the many students, colleagues and friends whose lives she touched.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel, 11115 Jog Road, Boynton Beach, Fla.