NELDA REGINA ADAMS
December 30, 2025
ADAMS
NELDA REGINA
A dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the age of 93.
She was the daughter of Michael Slean and Mary Slean; and sister of Mary Ann Byrne.
She grew up on Broadhead street in the Lincoln Lemington area of Pittsburgh. Nelda attended Corpus Christi Catholic Elementary school.
Her experience there and with Mt. Alvernia in Millvale sparked her interest in becoming a Nun.
Those plans all changed however when she met Edward "Ace" Adams from Verona Blvd., nearby. He went to Westinghouse High School and the United States Army.
They were married and had four kids, Lee, Edward, Jody and David.
He became a Pittsburgh Police Officer and they built a home to raise their kids in the Hamil Hunter area of Penn Hills.
Suddenly on April 14, 1971, Ace passed away of a heart attack, at the age of 42, leaving Nelda with four kids, ages 13 and under to raise by herself.
It was a complete and utter shock to her and her kids.
Nelda was a devoted mother. She would take care of, support, and give each of her four kids "unwavering unconditional love."
Later on, she really enjoyed her job working with kids, as a school crossing guard in Penn Hills, at the corner at Bavale and Hamil roads. Other loves of her life were pets, sports, especially going to watch her athletic kids play ball, and spending time with her eight grandchildren, Elyse, Maureen, David, Brian, Tony, Rachel, David and Ryan; along with eight great-grandchildren.
Friends received at WILLIAM F. GROSS FUNERAL HOME LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills, on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A Blessing Service will be held at the funeral home at 12:30.
Send Flowers: When Is the Ordering Deadline?
ANY DAY OF THE WEEK
Order any time up till the day before
MON-FRI Order by 2:00PM
SAT & SUN Order by noon
TUES-SAT
Order by 3:00PM
The day before
SAT & SUN Order by Saturday
Note: These are general guidelines; some florists may not be able to operate within these timelines. During peak periods such as Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day and most holidays, florists are not always able to keep up to demand. Tribute will contact you if there are any issues.
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Send Flowers: When Is the Ordering Deadline?
ANY DAY OF THE WEEK
Order any time up till the day before
MON-FRI Order by 2:00PM
SAT & SUN Order by noon
TUES-SAT
Order by 3:00PM
The day before
SAT & SUN Order by Saturday
Note: These are general guidelines; some florists may not be able to operate within these timelines. During peak periods such as Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day and most holidays, florists are not always able to keep up to demand. Tribute will contact you if there are any issues.
Plant a tree: How does it work
When your purchase is complete, a post will be made on the tribute wall of the deceased signifying the planting of a memorial tree.
An official certificate recognizing your purchase will be included with your email receipt. You can then forward the email to the family or print it and give it to them personally.
After an order is placed, our forestry partners will plant the tree in the area of greatest need (nearest the funeral home), according to the planting schedule for the year.
Due to seasonal conditions, the tree planting takes place during the spring and summer.
Tree Planting Timeline
Orders placed in:
January - May
Planting will take place in Spring or Summer of the same year.
June - December
Planting will take place in Spring of the following year.
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