Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - UPLAND --
Long-time secretary and teacher Adele Redfearn, referred to as "the
backbone of Chaffey High School,' died Saturday. She was 50.
Redfearn, a Manhattan native who lived in Ontario and then Upland for
about 34 years, died of heart complications due to cancer two days after
her 50th birthday.
"She was truly an icon for Chaffey High School,' said teacher, friend
and Ontario Mayor Gary Ovitt. She "was very well-respected by the staff
and students, and all who came in contact with her based on the fact that
she was very efficient, very knowledgeable and very compassionate.'
Redfearn started her career about 30 years ago as the secretary for
Chaffey High School's athletic director and quickly became secretary for
the assistant principal of student activities.
In 1998, she became a business education teacher and later also served
as the work experience coordinator at the school.
Redfearn received numerous awards as an employee with the Chaffey Joint
Union High School District, including Classified Staff Member of the Year,
the district's Service Award and Distinguished Service Award. In 1984, the
school's Fasti yearbook was dedicated to her, in which she was called "the
backbone of Chaffey High School.'
"She really got close to student leaders and would do anything in the
world for anyone. She was very giving,' said Barry Cadwallader,
superintendent of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District and a
former CHS activities director. "If you were a person she knew, and you
needed anything, she would be there for you.'
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Adele at the 2001 Chaffey High School Prom |
She was so dedicated that she would often come in at nights and on
weekends to make sure events were running smoothly or to check on things
before and after events, said Gary Simpson, a retired activities
director/work experience coordinator at Chaffey High and close friend.
"She cared so much for Chaffey High School and the people. ... Outside
of her family, Chaffey has been her life.'
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She was often the first person on students' list to invite for school
reunions, he said.
Redfearn's name on campus is legendary, said Chaffey High School
graduate and CHS career technician Julie Sosa.
"She affected everybody,' Sosa said. "(She and Simpson) were the fun
zone of Chaffey High School.'
Sosa said Redfearn danced at school rallies and collected tiger
paraphernalia -- in honor of the school's mascot -- because of her love
for the school.
"She was the spirit of Chaffey,' Sosa said. Among her many passions was
her passion for baseball and she was an avid Yankees fan. She also enjoyed
crafting, music, dancing and decorating.
Wayne Redfearn, her husband of 12 1/2 years, said his wife was also an
excellent mother.
Adele Redfearn leaves a son Matthew, 11 and a stepson Chadd, 19, whom
she has always treated like her own, he said.
"I'm a lucky guy,' he said. "It's been the best 12 1/2 years I've ever
had.'
She is also survived by her sisters Susan DeSchaine and Patty
Vinciguerra; nieces and nephew Lisa, Stacey and Dennis DeSchaine;
great-nephew Michael DeSchaine Makings; sister-in-law Gail Ehrlich and her
in-laws Bob and Dorothy Redfearn.
Vinciguerra said Redfearn was not only a sister to her, but a parent
and a best friend.
"She was a dynamic woman,' she said. "She was an angel to a lot of
people.'
The family held a private memorial service Tuesday. A candlelight
vigil, open to the public, will be held today at 7 p.m. outside Chaffey
High School's Gardiner Spring Auditorium in celebration of her life.
Brenda Gazzar can be reached by e-mail atbrenda.gazzar@dailybulletin.com
or by phone at (909) 483-9355.
