Ada Adell Grijalva

Ada Adell Grijalva November 3, 1939, to December 23, 2024 Ada Adell Grijalva was born November 3, 1939, in Glendale, California. Her mother was Norma Virginia Tolman, and her father was Mark Antony Conway. Her parents were divorced before Adell was born and she never met her birth father. Adells early years were spent at Normas Burbank, California family home where grandparents Jessie Sessions Ashdown and Howard Milton Tolman provided a loving environment and support. Sometime in 1940, Normas brother Milton Howard Tolman, who was in the Navy, brought Lorin Lyman Smith home on a weekend pass. When Lorin met Norma and was introduced to Adell, he was completely taken by both. Norma and Lorin were married in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on February 21, 1941. Adell officially became a Smith on that day. Adell fast turned into Daddys girl, and according to her, the favorite child. Very quickly she became an oldest sibling and protector. The family was constantly relocating during those early years. ; Lyman Howard in Palmdale, CA; Lorin Nathan in Preston, ID; Jerry (Gerald) David in Wells, NV and Terry Lee in Simi Valley, CA. All of these siblings with the exception of Terry have preceded Adell in death. In 1955 the family moved to Tracy. In October 1956, Norma suffered a miscarriage during a dangerous pregnancy and passed away during childbirth. The family was left motherless and Adell was given heavy responsibility in the care of her five younger siblings and a grieving father. In December of 1957, Lorin married Berniele Kenison Gagon, and this brought two more siblings into the family, Nancy Kay Gagon and Loren Earl Gagon. The new family dynamic was a big adjustment for Adell who was used to taking charge and managing her brothers and sister with little help. After graduating from Tracy High School the following June, Adell began seeing Raymond (Ray) Grijalva and they married on November 10, 1958. Though young, they began an adult journey of hard work and determination. The couples family began to grow with the addition of Michael Ray on June 8,1959; Mark David followed on July 1, 1960; then Ronal (Ronnie) Alan on May 23, 1963; Robbie on November 17, 1965; and Lisa Renee on January 19, 1969. At about the same time that Adells second son, Mark, was born; her youngest brother, Roger Alan Smith was born. As a child, Adell had moved multiple of times, however, once in Tracy she planted roots that dug deep for the rest of her life. When all of her children were raised and had graduated from Tracy High School, Adell continued her life as an independent woman and entrepreneur. She managed and worked as the owner of a janitorial service for thirty years, employing family, friends and many new friends who became like family. When she retired, she turned the business over to her son, Michael. Adells greatest passion has always been family. This extended beyond her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, in-laws, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts or friends. She embraced everyone she met. Her generosity and love made her a unique woman of great consequence. She had a love of travel, learning, horse racing and Hallmark movies. But most of all, Adell never stopped. Her energy and drive were unyielding as she maintained a schedule that included time most days at the gym, lunches with friends and family, or travel to see places, catch up with children and participate in major family events. She was the grandma everyone wanted and the friend everyone needs. Adell died unexpectedly after emergency surgery on December 23, 2024, at Sutter Hospital in Tracy, California. She was surrounded by her children, their spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and attending friends, who waited quietly in the hospital lounge for medical updates and news. Adell is survived by her children; Michael Grijalva, Mark Grijalva (Nancy), Ronnie Grijalva, Robbie Grijalva (Terri), Lisa Grijalva Lambert (Donnie); Grandchildren, Aaron Grijalva, Trisha Grijalva, Jenny Grijalva Ellsbury, Joii Grijalva Herman (Jared), Mark Grijalva, Jr. (Heather), Stacey Grijalva Bankston (David), Matthew Grijalva (Tiffany), Ashley Grijalva, Brett Grijalva, Taylor Grijalva, Bailey Grijalva, Ryan Grijalva, Briann Lambert Wideman (Ben); Her sister, Nancy Barney (Jerry); Her brothers, Terry Smith and Roger Smith (Terry); and a generation of loving great- grandchildren. Fry Memorial Chapel, 550 South Central Avenue, Tracy; is honored to serve the Grijalva Family. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 4, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 27150 Wilkinson Way, Tracy beginning at 1:00 pm. Ms. Grijalva will be laid to rest privately at the Tracy Public Cemetery, 501 Eash Schulte Road, Tracy. An online guest book is available via her tribute page at www.frymemorialchapel.com for condolences and special messages to the family. Services Cemetery Tracy Public Cemetery 501 E. Schulte Rd Tracy, CA 95376 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Ada, please visit our Tree Store.