Therese Riley Wade

Born on May 15, 1928, in New Britain, she was the beloved daughter of the late John and Veronica (Noble) Riley.

Therese devoted many years of her life to serving her community as a school secretary at Thalberg Elementary School, where she was known for her warmth, dedication, and kindness to generations of students, families, and staff. A woman of deep faith, she was a longtime parishioner of the former St. Thomas Church, where she was an active member of the Ladies Guild and Mother’s Circle. She also gave generously of her time as a volunteer with the Bradley Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

Therese found great joy in life’s simple pleasures, especially the many summers she spent at her cherished cottage at Bay View Beach in Milford, where she created lasting memories with family and friends.

She is survived by her five loving children: Marie Pflomm and her husband Gary of Watertown; Kathleen Donato and her husband Charlie of New Haven; Patricia Pratt of Burlington, Vermont; Paul Wade and his wife Heidi of Carbondale, Colorado; and Thomas Wade and his wife Lisa of Milford. She also leaves her sister, Patricia Riley of Southington; six grandchildren, John Riley Pflomm, Shannon Pflomm Massicotte, Maureen Pflomm, Marissa Pratt, Kelly Nemirow, and Ali Cottle; and seven great-grandchildren, Violet, Olivia, Emery, Lily, Wade, Maeve, and Benjamin. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Therese’s life was a testament to faith, family, and quiet service to others. Her legacy of love and devotion will continue to live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Dominic Church, 1050 Flanders Road, Southington. Burial will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with her parents. In lieu of flowers, donations in Therese’s memory may be made to Habitat for Humanity, 11145 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34113.