Adela Shimmel

Adela Talavera Shimmel, 74, was born on June 23, 1946, in Cold Water, AZ (Agua Fria) to her parents Martin and Consuelo Talavera. She was the youngest of ten siblings and the last of them to join their parents in perpetual paradise on July 18, 2020.

Martin and Consuelo Talavera, traveled from Puerto Rico in the late 1920s and settled in Cashion, Arizona. They claimed property in the west valley near the Estrella Mountains, known as the “Leagas” area. She attended Agua Fria High School where she and many of her nephews would hang out at Pete’s Fish and Chips after school. A favorite still to this day. She married and attended nursing school and became a Certified LPN. (Licensed Practical Nurse) She worked several different kinds of jobs but being a caregiver is what was always her passion. She lived in Arizona most of her life and has been in Tucson and Vail area for past 29 years.

During her first marriage to John Barela, she raised three children, two sons and a daughter. During her second marriage to Dennis Shimmel, she was raising three more daughters. She and her husband Dennis, also fostered more than 50 children from the years 1998 to 2016. She always had a baby in her arms whether it be her own, her grandchildren or great grandchildren. She was lovingly known as mom, ma, mother, Adela, Adelita, Adelaida, Deller, Dalisa, Nana and Super-Nana.

Adela, was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Laura, Ismael, Helen, Juanito, Margaret, Alfred, Esther, Emparo, Juanita, David and an infant grandson Steven Barela. She is survived by her husband, Dennis and her children, Johnny Barela (Becky) of West Valley, UT, Elisa Tapia (Pat) of Tucson, AZ, Adam Barela (Lei-Lani) of Colorado Springs, CO, Marraya Shimmel, Ashleigh Shimmel and Naya Shimmel all of Vail, AZ. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren: Jennifer, Jacob, Jasmine, Adam Michael, Cristen (Megan), Crystal (Carlos), Patrick (Priscilla), John Jr, Aaron, Brianna, Jessica, Matthew, Julian, Adam, Isabella, Kayla, Melody, Malachi, Isaiah, Nyelah and 21 great-grandchildren.

Adela never hesitated to be that shoulder to lean on, that voice of comfort on the phone when you were sad, lonely or just driving, the advisor of remedies, natural healer and caregiver. She had the best stories and jokes in English and in Spanish. If she only had a dollar, she would give you fifty cents so you had a little something. She loved and spoiled her family more than anything. She blessed us every morning she awoke and before she went to bed. Lately, she really missed her mom and dad; we pray her journey to meet them again is glorious. God Bless you!