Mary Ellen Wade

Mary Ellen Wade was born on April 2, 1947, in Montgomery, Alabama, and died on April 24, 2026, a few weeks after her 79th birthday. Death came to her gently, while she was asleep at her home in Sea-Tac, Washington, sheltered by its Japanese maple and embraced by a lush, perfect Japanese garden with pond, bridge and pine trees. She was a big personality who was easy to love and was loved back by everyone who met her. Her laugh was infectious, her generosity unquestioned, and her care and compassion for those lucky enough to come into her orbit was unstinting. She faced challenges early in life that left her scarred but invincible, and her courage facing declining health was so great that even those closest to her were shocked by her death, lulled into complacency. If asked, she would have beamed and said she was on her way to join Tom, Debbie, her parents and a cousin or two, and left with a smile. Her passions included her many pets, her love of Disney, pottery, and her faith. She was dedicated to her family and her church, and was known for her artistic and joyful temperament.