Virginia Gwendolyn Wade

Virginia Birtcher Wade, 96, born at home in Miami, Arizona passed away November 22, 2014. Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Biltmore Ward, 1835 E. Missouri, Phoenix, AZ at 11:00 AM Friday, November 28, 2014 preceded by visitation at 10:00 AM. Interment will be in Salt Lake City, Utah. Virginia grew up in Globe, Arizona and graduated from Globe High School. She attended the University of Arizona and graduated in 19¬¬39 with a degree in home economics. After teaching a year in Clifton, she married Ivan Wade in 1941. They divorced in 1958. She settled in Phoenix with her four children in 1956 and lived here for the next 58 years. Eventually, she went to work for her brother, Harold, who was a CPA and ended up working in his office for over 35 years. A skilled needlewoman she enjoyed creating beautiful tatted lace along with knitting, crocheting and embroidery of all types. She was a talented seamstress whether sewing clothes, drapes, slip covers or whatever took her fancy. She was well read and enjoyed a wide range of interests which made her an interesting person to talk with. Her love of music spurred her to join the Central Arizona Mormon Choir with whom she traveled and performed for 25 years and joined her rich alto voice to numerous choirs throughout her life. Her love for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was evident through her years of commitment and service. Always proud of her family, they brought great joy to her life. When contemplating a purchase, she often quote this advice, "Don't cry little luxury, you'll be tomorrow's necessity". She once shared, "I cannot tell anyone what to do, but I have lived my life hoping that others would do as they have seen me do." We love this great lady! Virginia is survived by three of her four children: daughter, Janet (Gene Carruth); son, Ron (Sara); son, Robert (Sue), and 18 grandchildren: Kelli Carruth (Clint Shipp), Kristi Carruth (Austin Bankhead), Kevin Carruth, Adam and Matteo Wade, Jon (Chelsea) Forkner, Angela Forkner (Ric Cantrell), Marianne Forkner (Eric Jeffery), Amy Forkner (Terry Hansen), Michelle Forkner (Tyrel Welch), Samantha Forkner (Hal Morgan), Jason and Josh Forkner, Stacy Wade (Rick Pfeifer), Jamie and Ryan and Stephanie and Ross Wade. She was great-grandmother to 22. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Carolyn (Larry Forkner). Dear sister of the late Franklin and Harold Birtcher and Marvel Schartzer.