Adrienne Eller Kimball

Adrienne left a powerful and resounding legacy that will continue to thrive through the many family members and friends touched by her steadfast love and guidance.

She was born in Tampa, FL in 1931 to Adrienne Phillips Eller and Walter Frederick Eller and raised in Raleigh, NC. Adrienne attended Broughton High School, Peace Preparatory School and College, and Florida Southern University.

Adrienne returned to Tampa as a young adult with her mother. She continued her college studies and worked as a secretary. When her mother became ill, Adrienne left college to care for her.

She met Mark Everett Kimball, who was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, and after a whirlwind courtship, the two were engaged.

At an early age, Adrienne was familiar with the Catholic faith through a young friend, and a spark was lit. When she met Mark, the love of her life, the spark grew to a flame, and not only did she vow her love to Mark, but she jumped headfirst into becoming a devout Catholic. From that time, she was steadfast in her faith, sharing it through word and action with her family, friends, and community.

Adrienne and Mark moved to the San Francisco area, and Adrienne helped secure and pay for an apartment by offering to supervise the rental complex. If that wasn’t enough, soon, a baby girl was born, followed quickly by twin boys. She managed all of this while learning to cook and hanging diapers on the line to dry, with no family nearby except a new husband who was navigating changes too. She modeled resourcefulness and courage.

An offer from I. W. Phillips, a wholesale hardware company and family business, returned the family to Tampa, and soon, another girl and two boys were added to the fold. And when her aging father needed caregiving, Adrienne brought him into the family home to care for him herself.

Her children and those fortunate to know Adrienne learned by her example. Faith was always first. Sunday and holy day mass was a given as was Catholic education and prayer before opening presents at Christmas. She taught her children important life skills, such as maintaining a home through chores, how to save, budget, and live within your means through allotted allowances, and caring for animals by always having a dog and other pets in the mix. As a part of budgeting, she took sewing classes and made clothes for herself that were creative and stunning, leading her daughters to attempt the same.

To ensure the family heritage was not lost, she nurtured relationships with extended family, and she continuously shared family history, including her love of family heirlooms, antiques, and recipes.

She jumped into the workforce to help pay for her children’s Catholic education and college expenses. She began as a World Book encyclopedia salesperson, where she excelled and rapidly climbed the ranks, helped others thrive under her tutelage, and earned achievement awards, even a family trip to Disney. Her passion for the product to spread education was real.

Adrienne and Mark raised six children who count their blessings to have been raised by these wise, loving, and determined parents. They taught their children and those around them to face the world with faith and courage with whatever hills and valleys arise. She and Mark exemplified true devotion, celebrating nearly 70 years of marriage.

Not only did she navigate rearing six children, but she also made time to volunteer for the Junior League, where she was named Volunteer of the Year for her work with MacDonald Training Center. On occasion, she took the children with her when volunteering, where they saw firsthand her work with children thriving with developmental disabilities, and how they benefitted from her efforts and artistic talents. Today, the handmade Christmas ornaments made at the center and hang on the family tree are a testament to the positive influence her volunteer work had on her community.

Adrienne served in many roles on prayer teams, praying for those in need, including mothers, their unborn children, and priests. She taught all of those around her about the importance of giving to others and the value of prayer. Her unfailing practice of the faith that she made her own, her participation in prayer groups, and her habit of ending conversations in prayer reinforced the belief that God is there for us.

Even as her children became adults, she was by their side through life transitions, moves, grandchildren’s births, hospitalizations, and more. Her love, care, and lessons continued with the many adored grandchildren.

With the loss of partial mobility and sight later in life, Adrienne displayed her uncompromising resilience and strength through real adversity once again. She became a role model to fight for what you want for yourself.

In those years, some very special caregivers, including her children, grandchildren, and several other devoted angels, who she loved like family blessed the entire family with their devotion and care.

She leaves an army of loved ones, who keep her legacy alive by sharing what she taught through both word and example, including her husband, six children and their spouses, eighteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, many relatives, and friends.

A heart, which feels a loss as deeply as this, is a heart that’s been loved. Adrienne Kimball, wife, mom, mama, mother, mommie, grandmommy, and friend, remains with us now and always, and the lessons she taught will help us follow her unstoppable lead.

Adrienne is survived by her loving husband, Mark Kimball; daughter, Leslie Quaritius and children, Paige, Jeffrey, and Jack and wife Alexa and son, Shep; son Dale Kimball and wife, Mary and children, Lauren and husband Adam and children, Parker and Quinn; Stephen and son, Cooper; Rosie, Becca, Theresa, Bridget, Paul, and Rachel; son Neal Kimball and wife, Jill and children, Caitlin, Maggie, Kyle, and Jimmy; daughter, Elaine Bagley and children, Megan and husband, Carey, and children, Aelin and Griffin; Olivia, and Kendall; son, Mark Kimball and husband, Jim; and son, Lance Kimball.

Funeral services are scheduled for October 27, at Christ the King church at 10 a.m., preceded by a visitation at 9 a.m.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ the King Catholic Church, or to Project Shoes via Christ the King Catholic Church, 821 S. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, Fl 33629, or to the charity of your choice.