Irish Person of the year, Adele Sommer- 1992

Adele Sommer, mother of two and grandmother of 12, one of the first to promote Irish traditions in Dallas, active on the board of Saint Rita Women's Club, the Golden Agers Club, and the development board of the Forestwood Bank, was unanimously named Irish person of the year by the Irish American Society of Dallas.

In 1972 Adele came to Dallas, and it wasn't long before she and her family were involved in promoting the Irish American Society of Dallas, then known as the Friendly Sons and Daughters of Saint Patrick.  As one of the first treasurers, she planned and executed many of the events put on by the society, events like book reviews and Irish-theme parties.   She opened her home to everyone in Dallas interested in their Irish heritage and Irish culture, and her spirit of commitment and dedication instilled others with the motivation and incentive to carry on.

Adele, born and reared in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she was also involved with carrying on her Irish traditions, proudly reminds us that both her maternal and paternal grandparents come from Ireland, the Galvins from County Kerry, and the Furlongs from County Tipperary.

You will find Adele by the Irish American Society booth in the Cultural Arts Building.  We hope you will stop by to say "hello" to this charming lady who represents Ireland so well.  Adele will also be present at the Irish American Society's annual Saint Patrick's Day Dinner Dance on March 14 at the Doubletree Inn in Dallas, and the Downtown Dallas Saint Patrick's Day Parade on March 15.