Adele Platter

It is with deep love and gratitude that we remember the life of Adele G. Platter, who passed away peacefully on July 8, 2025, in Boulder, Colorado, at the age of 85. A devoted mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, scholar, and friend, Adele leaves behind a legacy rooted in kindness, intellectual curiosity, and a lifelong dedication to learning and service.

Born on March 12, 1940, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Adele Meyerowitz nurtured a passion for education from an early age. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from SUNY New Paltz in 1962. Her academic journey continued with advanced studies that culminated in a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1990.

Adele married Sanford "Sandy" Platter on June 29, 1960. In the mid-1960s, they moved from Poughkeepsie, New York, to Boulder, Colorado, with their two children; Bari Kaye, born in 1962, and Brian, born in 1964. Together, Adele and Sandy shared a love of art, travel, and the outdoors. In 1972, they settled into their longtime home on Sugarloaf Mountain, where they spent more than 40 years raising their children, surrounded by nature and pets. Sandy passed away in 2012.

Adele's professional life was marked by a deep commitment to teaching and research. As a faculty member in the Sociology Department at the University of Colorado Boulder, she specialized in sociological quantitative methods as well as the sociology of aging and health and medicine. Her scholarly work extended beyond the university setting into international humanitarian efforts. Notably, she conducted significant research with UNICEF on infant mortality in Zimbabwe-an endeavor that reflected her dedication to using knowledge as a tool for global betterment.

Her commitment to community service was equally profound. Adele volunteered extensively throughout her life: teaching English as a Second Language in Boulder; supporting female refugees from Sudan who had relocated to Colorado; knitting caps for oncology patients; and contributing her time and energy to the Boulder Democratic Party. These acts were not only services rendered but also expressions of her deeply held values of justice, empathy, and civic engagement.

Adele was also a woman of remarkable creativity and resourcefulness. She was an avid spinner and dyer of wool, using natural materials she discovered herself-a reflection of both her artistic spirit and love for nature. She found joy in knitting, cross-country skiing, hiking Colorado's scenic trails, and reading widely across genres. Her kitchen was another outlet for her talents; she was a passionate home chef known for baking bread and crafting homemade jellies and jams. Her culinary repertoire often celebrated Italian, Mexican, and vegetarian cuisines-flavors that brought warmth and delight to those around her.

She is survived by her daughter Bari Platter of Albuquerque, New Mexico; her son Brian Platter of Sausalito, California; his wife Abby Adlerman Platter; and her beloved grandchildren Hannah Platter and Lucas Platter. She is also survived by her brother Allen Meyerowitz and his wife Marilyn Meyerowitz; as well as her cousin Jack Abarbanel.

Adele's warmth touched all who knew her. She was a woman of remarkable thoughtfulness who encouraged those around her-especially her children and grandchildren-to remain curious and open-minded. Her legacy lives on through the values she instilled in them.

A celebration of Adele's life will be held on Saturday, August 9th, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Hilltop Room at Frasier Retirement Community, 350 Ponca Place, Boulder, CO 80303.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Adele's memory to the American Cancer Society.

May the memory of Adele G. Platter continue to inspire compassion, curiosity, and courage in all who knew her.