Wilfrieda "Fifi" Slade

It is with heavy hearts we announce that Wilfrieda (Fifi) Westby Donaghy Slade died of natural causes on 20 January 2023 at her home in Sandy Springs, Georgia, surrounded by her children. Fifi was born on 8 June 1928 in New Bedford, Massachusetts to James King Donaghy and Wilfrieda Westby.

Fifi attended Sacred Heart Academy, Holy Family High School, and Saint Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in New York City. She proudly served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps from 1951-1956, including a 2-year tour in Heidelberg, Germany (1951-1952), and in Hawaii where she nursed soldiers injured during the Korean War. When not working, she immersed herself in the beauty and culture of this tropical paradise before it became a U.S. state.

Clem Trippe (Trippe) Slade and Fifi married on 7 April 1956 in Alexandria, Virginia, and they were happily married for 54 years until his passing in 2009. She is survived by their four children: Claudia Slade Madigan (Scott); Mary Trippe Everett (Jim); Westby Slade (Patti Westermann); Collier Slade (Teka Drehmer) and ten beloved grandchildren (Mary Scott (Madigan) Ong, Nathan Madigan, Katie (Everett) Bonecutter, Rick Everett, Jacob Everett, Maggie Everett, Katie-Rose Slade, Westby Slade, Archie Slade and Luiza Slade) and ten and a half great-grandchildren (Mary-Kenneth Ong, Peter Westby Ong, Colton Bonecutter, Barrett Bonecutter, Taylor Bonecutter, Jackson Bonecutter, Penelope Madigan, Charlotte Madigan, Tripp Madigan, and Harper Everett, and another Everett due in April).

Fifi leaves a tangible legacy through her volunteer work as a founding member of Saint Jude the Apostle Catholic Church and Saint Andrew Catholic Church, but she will be most remembered for the compassion and empathy that she showed towards others - family, friends and strangers alike. She lived her Catholic faith, as evidenced by her daily actions and her nightly 30-minute prayer list.

Fifi set an enduring example on how to age with dignity through a genuine love of others and thirst for knowledge. She was a lifelong learner with an insatiable appetite for reading (even on an iPad!), which she instilled in her family and made her a formidable den-side Jeopardy champion! Highlights of her travels included a trip to China with Trippe, magical Christmases in Paris, multiple trips to Europe and Brazil to visit friends and family, and many state-side vacations, including with the “Snapper” families in Destin, FL. Until recently, she met monthly with her “birthday club” ladies for lunch. She was an avid sports fan, enjoying the Atlanta Braves and other sports telecasts, and calling her children during the games to enthusiastically debate the action. She was a fierce competitor both on the tennis court and when cheering on her family during sports competitions. She spent many hours at Cherokee Town and Country Club, playing tennis and dining with friends and family while also getting to know the staff.

Fifi had a signature look (and voice) - her striking gray hair neatly tucked under a hair clip, black/white/red attire, armful of silver jewelry, and the elegant way she carried herself, turned many a head and frequently caused her to be mistaken for a European actress. Despite her 1950s movie star aura, Fifi was most known for being a loving wife, mother, friend, confidante, and passionate “life cheerleader” for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Full of life and laughter, Fifi was entertaining friends and family at the family home of 59 years until her final days. This home was designated a backyard wildlife sanctuary, and served as a gathering place for four generations of family (and many generations of deer, fox, birds and other wild animals). Fifi’s passing has left a hole in all of our hearts but we are confident that a heavenly celebration is going strong!

Funeral Mass at Saint Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 7 February 2023, 10:00 AM, followed by interment with military honors at Arlington Memorial Park, 201 Mt Vernon Hwy NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Chattahoochee Nature Center, Attn: K. Felty, Development, PO Box 769769, Roswell, GA 30076 https://www.chattnaturecenter.org/support-us/donate/?keyword=hidden%20donation