Sophia Greenberg Adelman Obituary (2009)

Sophia G. Adelman, a children’s advocate and community activist for 75 years, died January 11, 2009 at the age of 97. Sophia was born in Kansas City, Missouri to pioneer Kansas City photographer Bernard Greenberg and Romanian translator Lucy Moskowitz Greenberg. She was married to Joseph Adelman, Kansas City, Missouri police captain, wrestler and comedian for 55 years. She earned a B.A. in Education from UMKC at the age of 59, gaining lifetime teacher certification. She substituted in the Kansas City and Center School districts for 20 years and continued to tutor and work with the children of Indian Creek Elementary School through Youth Friends until the age of 93. Before entering college in 1959, she had been city-wide PTA chair for Juvenile Protection, a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, and had been active in the VFW auxiliary and Hadassah. She continued a lifelong commitment to maintaining diversified residential neighborhoods as a zoning activist into her last years. Predeceased by her husband, parents and sister Naomi Rutlader, she is survived by three children: Marcia Cooper of Overland Park, Roger Adelman of Villa Hills, Kentucky and Ernest Adelman of Dorsey, Illinois. She also leaves her sister Hannah Krumholz of Miami, Florida, eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews across the country. Graveside services were held Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggested contributions be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.