Shirley Ruth Wade

She was the wife of the late Lawrence A. Wade. They were married for 69 years.

Shirley was born in Malden and spent time in Medford before settling in Wakefield, graduating from Wakefield High in 1938. She was a preschool director in Beverly and was active with the Church of the Nazarene, teaching and playing piano for over 60 years. She was a resident of Harwich for 35 years.

She is survived by her three children, daughters Carol Harris of Harwich and Jeanne Ritter of Reading, and son Allan of Kittery, Maine. She also leaves a sister, Elizabeth Crouch of Clinton, N.Y., and the late Robert and Dorothy; eight grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2011, at the Church of the Nazarene, 209 Upper County Road, Dennis. A celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Harwich.

Donations may be made to the Church of the Nazarene, or the VNA Hospice and Palliative Care, 434 Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660.