Adele "Dolly" Steeves

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Adele (Dolly) Steeves, 89, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at her beloved home, The Bayshore, on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 27, 1936, to Anton and Agnes Olszewski, Adele was a "Chicago girl" at heart for much of her life. She married her high school sweetheart, Frank Keyes, with whom she had two daughters, Sheila and Debra. Following their divorce in the mid-1960s, Adele navigated life as a single mother, establishing herself as a talented interior designer. In 1971, she married Arthur (Burt) Steeves, beginning a devoted 49-year partnership that lasted until his death in 2020.

Adele's life was defined by a rare blend of artistic vision and intellectual curiosity. In 1986, she and Burt built their dream home on a river near Grand Rapids, Michigan; Adele acted as the architect, designing the entire residence herself. A lifelong artist, she had won a scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago as a young woman and continued to hone her skills in painting and sculpture well into her later years.

An adventurous spirit, Adele traveled the world with Burt, exploring Western and Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, Egypt, and India. Closer to home, she was a dedicated member of the Rosicrucian Order and spent sixteen years volunteering with Little Brothers: Friends of the Elderly in Chicago. Her philanthropy was as vast as her interests, ranging from building freshwater wells in Africa and India to supporting World Vision and animal welfare through PETA.

Adele had a singular gift for connection. She was a loyal friend who maintained bonds from elementary school alongside new friendships made with the caregivers who tended to her in her final days. Known for her quick wit and great sense of humor, she left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Adele was predeceased by her husband, Burt Steeves; her parents, Anton and Agnes Olszewski; her sister, Helen LaForest; and her brother, John Olszewski.

She is survived by her daughters, Sheila Heiser (David) and Debra Denniston (Scott); five grandchildren: Frankie (Michele), Kate (Matthew), Elliott (Kristina), Eric (Anita), and Rachel; and six great-grandchildren: Rachael, Anthony, Nick, Reverie, Scout, and Gigi Adele. She is also survived by her "baby brother," Ted (Bonnie), as well as her nephews, Philip and John, and nieces, Sally, Nancy, Jill, and April.

The family will celebrate her life with a private distribution of Adele and Burt's remains on Hilton Head Island at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to World Vision.