Adele S. Wasko

Adele S. Wasko, originally from New York City and for the last several years residing in Hershey, PA, passed away on January 4, 2023, just shy of her 97th birthday.
Adele was born on January 15, 1926, to David Werner and Rose Rifkin Werner. She grew up in the Bronx, NY, and graduated from Walton High School and then from Brooklyn College. She married Bernard (Berl) Wasko in 1950, and they moved to the town of Eastchester, NY, where she lived for more than 60 years. Adele was an active volunteer in many community activities, including the PTA, her synagogue Sisterhood, and Girl Scouts. She worked in a doctor's office in New York City and later was hired as a Program Director by the Post Roads Council of the Girl Scouts of the USA. After retiring as a professional Girl Scout, she chaired the National Jewish Girl Scout Committee to help young women achieve one of the religious awards available from Girl Scouts, holding this position until 2015. Adele was widowed in 2006 after 56 years of marriage. In 2015, she moved from New York to an independent-living apartment at Country Meadows in Hershey, PA, to be near her daughter and son-in-law; 89 years of age at the time, she was very happy to give up her house and car. In early December 2022, she transitioned to a skilled nursing facility at Londonderry Village in Palmyra, PA, before succumbing to the frailties of old age.
Adele was predeceased by her husband Berl in 2006, and many years earlier by one son, Steven, when he was a teenager. She is survived by two children, Robert Wasko (Sue) of Brooklyn, NY, and Margery Wasko (Michael Katzman) of Hershey, PA. She was the beloved grandmother of Rebecca Katzman of Orofino, ID, David Katzman (Natalie Kotkin) of Philadelphia, PA, Jonathan Katzman (Holly) of San Francisco, CA, and Samantha Dodds (Colin) of Brooklyn, NY, as well as great grandmother of Miriam, Walter, and most recently Maya.
She will be remembered fondly by friends (or their surviving family members) at the Girl Scouts of USA, Temple Israel of New Rochelle, NY, the Friends of Israel Scouts Tzofim program, Chisuk Emuna Congregation of Harrisburg, PA, and Country Meadows in Hershey, PA, and by anyone who had the good fortune to be her relative or acquaintance. A particular thank you is extended to the caring staff at Country Meadows, Home Instead (especially MaryPaula), and Londonderry Village.
Graveside services were held at Riverside Cemetery, Saddle Brook, NJ.
Donations can be made in Adele's name to the National Jewish Committee on Girl Scouting, the local Girl Scout Council, or to a children's cancer research charity of your choice.