Adrienne Conine

Adrienne Karen Dorn Conine, 71, of Columbia, SC, passed away peacefully at home on leap day, February 29, 2024, after a brave battle with cancer. Born in Miami, FL, she was adopted at birth by the late Sidney Dorn and Harriet Roth Dorn. She is survived by Stanley Davis Conine, her husband of 47 years, more or less, son Dustin DeLange Conine, granddaughter Sadie Elizabeth Conine, grandson Anderson Lee Conine, all of Columbia, and sister Carolyn Dorn of Silver City, NM. In addition to her parents, she was pre-deceased by her brother, Jack David Dorn and a stillborn son. She also leaves her favorite daughter-in-law Lindsay Teague Conine, some very special in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and her close family of neighbors at Renaissance Plaza. 

Adrienne graduated from Hialeah High School and earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of South Carolina. She always championed the forgotten and downtrodden. During college she began working at the SC Department of Youth Services where she and Stanley met. After their marriage in 1977, she moved to the SC Department of Corrections where she founded and directed a program for developmentally disabled inmates. Eventually, she joined Stanley in real estate, becoming “Rookie of the Year” her first year and launching a thirty year career culminating with running The Co9 Group, a family brokerage firm, until her retirement. 

Adrienne was a unique and remarkable woman. She loved all people without judgment or prejudice. She especially derived joy from any interaction with her two grandchildren, Sadie and Anderson. Beyond that her passion was art—eclectic, interesting, and colorful. Her home reflected this passion, but so did her clothes, her jewelry, even her hats. She took Stanley to every museum, gallery, studio, diner, sidewalk, or nook and cranny that had any art whatsoever, not only in Columbia but to cities all over the country and around the world. And she loved to eat and drink, preferably not at home, but at every kind of restaurant—and always, if possible, sitting at the bar where “you meet interesting people and get better service”. She made friends with total strangers and had a special ability to engage them in conversation. And she loved her flowers and plants, having a special talent to grow something beautiful from nothing. 

A celebration of Adrienne’s life will be held at The River Road and Jasmine House, 2204 North Lake Dr., Columbia, SC 29212, on Sunday, March 10, from 2 until 5 p.m. All are welcome. Feel free to dress free spirit casual and be 10 or 15 minutes late as she would have. Her remains will be cremated and placed in a special place at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice, preferably one that serves the forgotten and downtrodden.