Mary Cecil Reese Slade

Born in Denver Colorado on November 1, 1930 to Neil Robinson Reese and Clara

Bernadette Felder. Mary lived throughout her childhood and young adult life in the

family home located at 1350 Havana Street in Aurora, Colorado. She was an active

child and the “apple of her Daddy’s eye.” She grew up with many close friends and

during high school was a majorette and worked in the Fox Aurora Theater as an

Usherette. She graduated from William Smith High School in 1948.

Mary reconnected with the love of her life, Houston Hezekiah (“Bud”) Slade in 1948

and they were married in Denver on the 26th of August in 1949. Together they

shared over 58 years of marriage before his death in 2008.

Mary and Bud began their married life at 2300 Elmira Street in Aurora where they

raised their four Children, William, Gary, Karen and Reese. While Bud worked at

Blakes Auto and later for CDOT from where he eventually retired, Mary’s job was

centered around the home and their children.

Her home was always warm and inviting where she frequently entertained extra

kids and guests for dinner. She was an exceptionally good cook and everyone knew

dinner would be on the table at 5:00 o’clock sharp! She was an accomplished

seamstress, expertly re-upholstering some of her furnishings, sewing her own

garments, skillfully tackling alterations for family and friends and creating some of

the most imaginative halloween and melodrama costumes.

Mary was known by many names including: Daughter, Cece, Mary Cecil, Little Mare,

Mom, Grandma, and Frumples. She was the personification of “social butterfly!”

She was happiest when around her family and friends and thoroughly involved. She

was a member of numerous clubs and community service organizations and

continued her involvement up until the day she passed. Some of her most notable

clubs and contributions were to the Red Hat Society, Women’s Aglow, Lady’s Aide,

Women’s Home Club, several church auxiliaries and church theatrical groups. She

also regularly attended Bible studies, played Bunco, and was an avid supporter of

the Republican Party. If you didn’t catch Mary before 7:30 a.m., you’d be outta luck

until later in the evening because she had things to do… places to be… and people to

see! Sunday afternoons were reserved for a game of cards or Scrabble with dear

friends.

Mary was a wonderfully thoughtful and involved “Grandma;” taking her

grandchildren on fishing and camping trips, entertaining them with all sorts of

board games or creating crafts together during their frequent overnight stays,

taking them to summer Bible school, attending school concerts, games, baptisims,

graduations and weddings and being present for all sorts of holidays and birthdays.

Mary was a devout Christian who came to know the Lord and was baptized on

March 2nd, 1969 in the Aurora Prince of Peace Community Church. She served her

church families both in Aurora and Kiowa where she and Bud moved in 1985. She

was a prayer warrior who always took time to pray with or for a family member or

friend.

Mary passed from this life and entered her heavenly rest on May 27, 2021. She was

preceded in Death by her husband, Bud Slade, her mother and father, and her

brothers Charles Reese and Neil Reese, Jr. She is survived by her four children:

William Slade (Vickie), Gary Slade (Pam), Karen Slade and Reese Slade, Seven

Grandchildren: Robyn Shaw, Sean Slade (Karie), Kyle Slade (Lerah), Cody Slade,

Houston Slade, god-granddaughter Erica Luethje, Savannah Gilbert, and Ava Renee Slade, a great granddaughter, Iyna

Halcomb, a sister-in-law and dear friend of 72 years, Donna Reese as well as

numerous nieces and nephews.