Letitia R. Adams
S. Letitia Rotondaro Adams was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania on May 30, 1927 the daughter of an Italian immigrant with a PhD in chemistry and a librarian who had helped to establish the Carnegie Mellon library. Tish earned a B.A. degree in English and History from Syracuse University followed by graduate work in Library Science. She was employed at the Library of Congress held the post of librarian at junior and senior high schools in the U.S. and at the University of East Africa and taught English as a second language in Turkey and North Yemen. When not working she was considered "den mother" to U.S. Marines in Ethiopia and North Yemen and known as an enthusiastic party planner and adventurous cook. Her 54-year marriage to a U.S. Foreign Service officer allowed her to pursue her love of travel and she eventually visited 50 countries and 49 states. She and her husband raised their five children in locales ranging from the U.S. East Coast and Southwest to East Africa and the Middle East always exploring and learning about the places they lived and the people around them. After settling in Tucson for retirement Tish spent 20 years as a supervisor for a high school student exchange program was an active member and supporter of the Arizona Historical Society and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and volunteered in the local office of a U.S. congressman. Tish will be remembered in large part for her energy her love of life and her genuine interest in the diverse people she always considered herself fortunate to meet.