Maxine Frances Wade

Maxine was born in Hanford, CA. She was the firstborn child to Henry M. and Hazel B. Prince of Stratford, CA. She passed away peacefully at the age of 95. Maxine lived her entire life in Hanford, Stratford and Lemoore. She had four sisters: Florence, Eleanor, Shirley and Marilyn. Together they were known as the Prince girls.

In 1945, she graduated from Point Loma High School in San Diego, CA. She then attended Visalia College, now known as College of Sequoias, where she earned an Associate of the Arts degree in 1947.

She met her husband Carl Wade, through her sister Florence. They went on to own and operate Tomer drug store in downtown Hanford. Together the loving couple had three children: Carla, Lynn and Tom.

Her business and economic interests landed her many different jobs in the commerce sector and she worked for numerous successful businesses. She is remembered for seeming to know almost everyone in town. She was so well loved, that it was hard for her to get from one end of town to the other without stopping to have a dozen conversations with longtime friends and loved ones.

She was both an activist and an advocate. She devoted herself to people and causes alike. She had a deep love and respect for the City of Hanford and the residents of This Great Central Valley. She involved herself in the political workings and future planning of the City and Kings County.

She frequently wrote letters to the editor of the Hanford Sentinel and attended community meetings.

She volunteered in many organizations: The American Cancer Society, the Kings County Historical Society, the Hanford Carnegie Museum (now known as the Carnegie Museum of Kings County), the Stratford Chamber of Commerce and the Daughters of the American Revolution, just to name a few. Because of her character, activism, advocacy and patriotism, her family sometimes called her The Eagle.

Maxine was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hanford for 76 years. She was an ardent supporter of the Franklin Graham, Samaritans Purse, Operation Christmas Child. Over the years, she knitted hundreds of scarves and caps that she packed into Christmas wrapped shoe boxes. They were sent around the world to bless children in need. She also supported her own children and grandchildren a great deal.

Maxine played a pivotal role in many peoples lives. As her friends began to lose their mothers and grandmothers, she was adopted by them to take their loved ones places. She received lots of cards during the holidays, throughout the year and especially on her birthday.

She loved knitting, Bingo! at Valley Christian Home, crossword puzzles, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and was an avid reader.

She was preceded in death by her husband Carl Ernest Wade, her son Thomas Carl Wade, and her four sisters Florence Webster, Eleanor White, Shirley Cappa and Marilyn Prince.

Maxine is survived by her daughters Lynn Wade Echols (Auburn, CA) and Carla Velador (Yankee Hill, CA); Grandchildren Erin Jones (Auburn, CA), Eli Echols (Colfax, CA), Jesse Muser (Chico, CA), Sarah Muser (Burlingame, CA) and Jason Wade (Woodruff, SC); Great grandchildren James Jones, Ellis Echols, Asher Echols, Bailey Echols, Theodore James and Reed James; Cousins Linda Rahn Corbin, Barbara Dale Figueira and Mary Jo Foote.

A graveside service is scheduled for Saturday, September 10th at 9:00 AM, at the Hanford Cemetery, 10500 S. 10th Avenue, Hanford, CA. A reception will be held immediately following at the First Presbyterian Church of Hanford Fellowship Hall, 415 N. Redington St., Hanford. All friends and family are encouraged to attend.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of Valley Christian Home of Hanford for the love, care and happiness they brought into Maxines life and for Bingo! In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Valley Christian Home, in memory of Maxine Wade, 511 E. Malone Street, Hanford, CA 93230. This donation will directly support the Activities Program for all residents. Another option is donating to the Carnegie Museum of Kings County, in memory of Maxine Wade, 522 N. Redington Street, Hanford, CA 93230 or to the charity of your choice.