LENOX – Ella A. (Barber) Adamites, 104, (1922-2026) passed away peacefully at home in Lenox with her daughters on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026. She was born on April 24th, 1922, in New Salem, MA, to the late Joseph and Annie (Ponusky) Barber. She grew up in Shutesbury and attended local schools. As a child, she learned to play the piano and continued that love throughout her life.
Ella married in 1940 and lived in the Amherst area before moving to Westfield with her family in 1958. She began her career as a housekeeper in 1965 at what is now the Western Massachusetts Hospital. She worked her way up the career ladder and retired in 1986 as Head Housekeeper. In 1984 she was named president of the National Housekeepers Association for a two-year term.
What gave Ella her most pleasure was being with her family. When she was not hosting or visiting with them, she enjoyed crocheting, reading mystery novels, and doing crosswords. She traveled often with her husband across the country visiting family, and she later traveled overseas with family and spent time with friends at the Cape. She also enjoyed many trips with the Southwick Senior Travel Group. She made many friends as a lifetime member of the Westfield YMCA. Ella was a faithful communicant of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Westfield.
Ella celebrated over 56 years of marriage to Edward J. Adamites before his passing in 1996. Sadly, she was predeceased by her daughter Lorraine C. Grimsley (Jack Gelgut); her son, Kajetan E. Adamites and her grandson James Grimsley, Jr. (Becki). She was also predeceased by her siblings Alexander, Richard, Annie (Barber) Lambert and Thomas.
She is survived by her loving daughters Kathy Van Orman (Glenn) of Lenox and Terry Tulyholowycz (Mark) of Southwick; her grandchildren, Kent Grimsley of Weymouth; Sharon Chambers of Westfield; Michele Bean (Aaron) of Swanzey, NH; Justin Grimsley (Jennifer) of Cheshire, CT; Joseph Osowski, Jr.; Jill Gautreau (Guy) and Kara Adamites all of Westfield; seventeen great-grandchildren, and eighteen great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves many friends and acquaintances at the Southwick Villages where she lived for almost 30 years.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday, June 20th, 2026, at 9 a.m. at the Firtion Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, 127 Holyoke Road, Westfield. Burial will follow the Mass in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Southampton Road, Westfield. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, June 19th, 2026, from 4-7 p.m. in the funeral home. Donations in Ella’s name may be directed to the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church Building Fund, 127 Holyoke Road, Westfield, MA 01085. www.firtionadams.com
