Obituary of Adelaide Carroll Adkins

Adelaide Carroll Adkins, a longtime Florham Park resident, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, February 28^th, 2022. She recently celebrated her 82^nd birthday on February 24^th.

Carroll is survived by her longtime companion, Allan Walters of Florham Park; her son, William Morris Adkins of Medina, OH; her daughter, Carroll Elizabeth Bronson and her husband Toby Bronson of Milwaukee, WI; three cherished grandchildren, Jessie Stanton Adkins, Emma Adelaide Bronson, and Ridley Jack Bronson; along with many dear friends. In addition to her parents, Carroll was predeceased by her two brothers, Hoge C., and Wills M. Young.

Carroll was born in Essex Fells, NJ on February 24, 1940, to the late Hoge C. and Jessie M. Young. She was raised in Essex Fells with her two brothers and was a graduate of Caldwell High School.

As an incredible gardener and lover of plants, Carroll had an expert eye for landscape design. She was a horticulturalist with Coviello Brother’s Landscape and Garden Center of Madison for over thirty years. Her home was always filled with the most exquisite house plants, while she happily enjoyed tending to her garden. To say she had a “green thumb” is an understatement.

Carroll was a wonderful mother and adored her three grandchildren. She encouraged everyone to boldly pursue and live their lives to the fullest.  As a family, they spent summers on Long Beach Island. Carroll’s favorite summer days were spent at the beach swimming, sunbathing, and breathing the salty air, followed by nights sitting on the deck watching sunsets, surrounded by family. These were her “happy times” that her family happily repeated every summer.

Carroll took immense pride in her home of 60 years. She was a known collector of whimsical nick knacks that represented her family’s history (everything has a story). She loved being surrounded by her treasurers and she always knew the time. She was a strong lover of animals, rescuing  several cats over the years. On chilly winter days, Carroll enjoyed sitting in front of her fire reading a book with a cat on her lap.

Carroll will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched. She was an exceptional woman, fiercely loyal, and extremely proud of her family. She was a legend.

Relatives and friends are warmly invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Carroll on Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 2:00pm - 5:00pm at L’allegria Restaurant, 11 Prospect Street, Madison, NJ 07940. Following Carroll’s wishes, we are celebrating her life in one of her favorite restaurants. Join us for drinks and hors d’oeuvres anytime between 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Feel free to dress in comfortable clothing as this is not a formal event. For more information contact Carroll Bronson at carrollbronson@gmail.com.

Funeral services are under the care of the Madison Memorial Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable contribution in Carroll’s memory to St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center, 575 Woodland Ave, Madison, NJ 07940.