Prominent Carson restaurateur dies

Adele Joan Abowd, local restaurateur and prominent member of the Reno and Carson City communities, died Wednesday at Washoe County Medical Center. She was the owner and hostess of Adele's Restaurant & Lounge in Carson City.

Adele and her husband of 53 years, Paul, opened the restaurant in 1978

. They later expanded their family operation to Reno in 1991 with Adele's at the Plaza. That same year, Gov. Bob Miller issued a proclamation to honor the Abowds as two remarkable Nevada humanitarians.

The Abowds hosted fund-raisers, community events, social dinners and political functions at their home.

"Adele was Carson City's premiere hostess," said former Nevada Sen. Richard Bryan. "Every legislator, lobbyist and Nevada power broker gathered at Adele's. She knew each and every person, and their favorite food and drink."

"Everyone in Carson knew Adele. She was an elegant lady."

When the Legislature is in session, Adele's lounge is often packed with lawmakers who joke that most of the legislative bills are passed there.

A longtime member of the Nevada Restaurant Association and former president, Adele Abowd was awarded "Restaurateur of the Year" honor in 2001.

The following year, the Nevada Legislature passed a Senate bill honoring the Abowds for their contributions to the restaurant industry in Nevada, their culinary expertise and their service to the people of the state.

A celebration of life Mass will be at 3 p.m. Friday at St. Teresa of Avila Church, 3000 N. Lompa Lane.

Entombment will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mountain View Cemetery Mausoleum in Reno.

In memoriam, Adele's Restaurant will be closed Friday, and reopen for dinner on Saturday.