Obituary for Ellen Theresa “Terry” Wade Ellen Theresa “Terry” Wade, 81, of Attleboro, passed away peacefully on December 27th, 2018, after a period of declining health. Born in Natick, Massachusetts, on November 28, 1937, she was the loving daughter of the late John and Kathleen (Noone) Walsh, both of whom had emigrated to Massachusetts from Galway, Ireland. Raised and educated in Attleboro, Theresa was a graduate of Attleboro High School Class of 1955.
She continued her education at St. Elizabeth’s School of Nursing in Brighton, where she became a Registered Nurse in 1958. After finishing school, she traveled across the country for several years, taking on various jobs, including as a carhop, to fund her adventures. When she returned to Massachusetts after a nursing stint in Sacramento, California, she worked at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, in Brighton, Sturdy Memorial Hospital, in Attleboro, Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, in North Providence, and various private duty positions.
Her nursing skills served not only at work but also in the devoted care she provided to both of her parents in their last years. Forming lifelong friendships with many of her nursing colleagues, she was a proud member of the Attleboro Nurses Club. Theresa settled in Attleboro, where she raised her daughters, Terri and Colleen.
Dedicating herself unconditionally to them and instilling the importance of family, higher education and a sense of adventure, she also strove to pass along the same values to her cherished grandson, Christian. She loved spending time with him, sharing many of her passions with him and supporting him in all of his pursuits. Traveling extensively in the United States and Canada, she enjoyed exploring national parks and taking mystery trips with her friends.
Trips to New Zealand, Australia, Russia, and many European countries were experiences Theresa loved. She made multiple trips to Ireland, maintaining close ties with her cousins, especially her cousin Ann Walsh, who she regarded more like a sister. Always curious, Theresa dabbled in many hobbies including ceramics, woodworking, floral design, and gardening.
She became a Master Gardener through the University of Rhode Island and worked passionately in her own yard. Actively following the stock market, she participated in several investment clubs. For many years she was a volunteer tax preparer at the Rev.
Larson Senior Center, in Attleboro. Theresa’s other interests included lively card games, outings with her friends, the performing arts, regular trips to the movies, the birds that visited her yard, and trips to Cape Cod. She made a sporting event out of shopping (and returning) trips with her dear friend Marilyn Wilber.
Until her health prevented it, she was ready to go anywhere, anytime. Along with her parents, Theresa is predeceased by sisters Mary Johannis and Patricia Ann O’Neil. She leaves behind loving daughters Teresa “Terri” Wade of Attleboro and Colleen Wade and her son Christian Farmer of Mansfield.
Also survived by brothers Jack Walsh and his wife Nora, Bill Walsh and his wife Janice, many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends including her former husband James Wade, and her beloved cat Holly. She will be missed for her wit, wisdom, strength, fierce independence, character, loyalty, and the love she shared with family and friends. A funeral mass, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited, will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church, 133 North Main Street, Attleboro, on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Theresa’s memory may be made to the Attleboro Scholarship Foundation, 89 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA 02703 or to Nine Lives of Norton Feline Rescue, Post Office Box 548, Norton, MA 02766. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of Sturdy Memorial Hospital and Hope Hospice, who provided Theresa, and those close to her, with compassionate care during her last days. Arrangements entrusted to Foley-Cook-Hathaway Funeral Home, Attleboro.
Upcoming Events Funeral Mass JAN 5.
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