Adelaide ‘Addie’ Luber, 89

WARWICK, R.I. – Adelaide ‘Addie’ Luber, of Tamarisk, died Oct. 4 at home. Born in Somerville, New Jersey, a daughter of the late Samuel and Frieda (Kaplan) Wishnow, she had lived in Warwick for five years, previously living in Cranston. Addie was a graduate of Douglas College at Rutgers University, Class of ’49, where she was a distinguished alumnus. 

Addie had a very impressive working career.  In 1964, as part of the War on Poverty, she became the first female director of the CCAP (Cranston Community Action Program).  During her time as CCAP director, she helped start a health center, a nutrition program, a senior center, a jobs training program, and a full-year Head Start program. She was also active in the Cranston League of Women Voters, conducting studies on the economically deprived. 

In 1985 she was appointed the Rhode Island Director of Elderly Affairs and served for six years. Afterward, she worked at Aging 2000, a creative approach to providing access to superior health care for all elderly citizens. She was instrumental in encouraging retired seniors to volunteer with Head Start/daycare children. She served as a board member for many nonprofit organizations, including Eastman House, Salvation Army, Insight, Children’s Friend and Service, Head Start, YMCA, Rhode Island Service Alliance, Mediation Council, Providence Rotary, Rhode Island Jewish Home, Jewish Seniors Agency and others.

Addie enjoyed traveling throughout the world with her friends and was a voracious reader of books and periodicals.  She also enjoyed theater and attending the annual Tanglewood music festival. She loved her children and grandchildren and took great pride in their accomplishments. She was a former longtime member of Temple Torat Yisrael. 

She was the devoted mother of Martin Luber of Santa Monica, California, Mindy Redlich and her husband, Ried, of Cumberland and Judy Rzucidlo and her husband, David, of Dayville, Connecticut. She was the dear sister of Irwin Wishnow and his wife, Eileen, of Boynton Beach, Florida. She was the loving grandmother of Trevor and Devon Rzucidlo, Sarah and Alysa Redlich.

Contributions in her memory may be made to Providence Rotary Charities Foundation, 27 Dryden Lane, Providence, RI 02904.