Adelaide Gonzalez Few Memorial Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association of Tampa Bay Scholarship

Adelaide Gonzalez Few, a remarkable woman known for her beauty, intellect, and dedication to service, passed away on October 18, 2024 leaving a lasting legacy in the Tampa community. Born in 1937 to a Sicilian mother with deep Tampa roots and a Spanish/Cuban father who was a respected physician, Adelaide embodied a unique blend of grace and brilliance that shaped both her personal and professional life.

At just 16, Adelaide graduated as valedictorian from H.B. Plant High School, showcasing her academic excellence and ambition. She began her college education at Randolph Macon Women’s College (now Randolph College) and, by age 19, graduated with highest honors from the University of Florida’s College of Arts and Sciences. During this time, she balanced academic achievements with a presence that earned her titles such as Miss University of Florida and Orange Bowl Queen.

Adelaide later earned a master’s degree in special education (speech pathology) from the University of Florida’s College of Education. She became a teacher and devoted homemaker. After raising her children, Adelaide’s intellectual curiosity led her back to academia, where she graduated cum laude and ranked among the top five of her class at Stetson University College of Law and was a member of the Stetson Law Review. As an attorney, she combined her sharp legal mind with a deep sense of justice, serving as an Assistant State Attorney, where she led the sex crimes division, and later as an Assistant U.S. Attorney.

Her commitment to scholarship and service was evident early in her life. As an undergraduate, she was active in student government at UF and was proud to be a lifelong member of Phi Beta Kappa. She served as the first president of the Tampa Bay Chapter. Adelaide was also a dedicated member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and later served as president of its alumnae chapter and served on the national foundation board. Her active community involvement extended to the Athena Society, the Hillsborough County Bar Foundation, and the Girl Scouts among others.

Adelaide’s pioneering spirit and commitment to public service were hallmarks of her life. She was the first woman to serve on the vestry at St. John’s Episcopal Church and the first LEM. She was the first female member and chairman of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority. She also held leadership positions on several boards, including the Florida Board of Bar Examiners and the Board of Overseers at Stetson Law School.