Margaret Wade passed away on September 11, 2020 in Daphne, Alabama. Margaret was born in Virginia to Margaret and Joseph Stevens. Orphaned early, she spent part of her early life at Mrs. Wright’s Farm and later went to live with her sister Mary and brother-in-law Burton Wilson in Pensacola, Florida.
Margaret attended Pensacola High School then began working at NAS Pensacola as a riveter during the war. She loved to dance and attended the chaperoned Catholic USO dances. It was there that she met Leroy Wade, a hazel-eyed, black-haired, great dancer who was starting flight school as an enlisted man at NAS Pensacola. Leroy was transferred to Guantanamo Bay and then to the east coast. After a cross country courtship, she followed her heart, married Leroy and moved to Norfolk to begin her life as a military wife until Leroy’s retirement as Executive Officer ALF HT-8, Ellyson.
Leroy was a Navy pilot of fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. As such, he was often deployed for long periods of time. Margaret had the good fortune to be a stay at home mom, a guide and friend to her three very active children, Loretta, Leroy, Jr. (Skip), and Valerie. Wherever Leroy was stationed, throughout many relocations and school year interruptions, she provided her children with special projects, local trips to interesting places and opportunities to learn, to grow and to appreciate the best parts of being Navy brats.
Margaret demonstrated the enjoyment that can be found in the unexpected opportunities that daily life has to offer. She was very much her own woman, fiercely independent to the end of her life, and an example for each of her children in her love of life, learning, and interacting with others.
Margaret was very active in a number of service and social organizations throughout her life: In Pensacola, her interests included the Red Cross Nurse Aides-NAS Pensacola, and activities in the Warrington Elks Lodge 2108, Silver Eagles, Retired Officers Wives and Widows Association, Pensacola Military Officers Association of America and the Krewe of the Avant Garde.
Margaret enjoyed traveling and spent many happy days traveling around the world to areas that piqued her curiosity. She loved taking cruises and tours to Alaska, Europe, Asia, South America, Scandinavia, the Caribbean and Middle East.
Second only to traveling was Margaret’s continuing love for dancing. She and Leroy continued to dance for many years. After Leroy’s death, Margaret chose cruises which provided dance hosts and took ballroom dance lessons to continue the exercise and joy she found in dancing. Margaret also instilled the love of dancing into her children who continue to enjoy dance.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Wade.
Margaret is survived by her children, Loretta (Don), Skip (Sandy), Valerie (Todd), grandchildren, Leslie (David), Christine (Shawn), Jennifer (Nick). Great-grandchildren Jessica (Will), Wade (Amber), Mallorie, Ella, Jordan, Arianna and Emily, great-great grandchildren Grace, Ryder, Saylor, Jay and Jackson.
A visitation for Margaret will be from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm on Monday, October 5, 2020 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, 619 New Warrington Road, Pensacola, FL 32506. Funeral service will be the followed at 1:00 pm, Monday, October 5, 2020 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home. Burial will immediately follow at Barrancas National Cemetery, 1 Cemetery Road, Pensacola, FL 32508
