Veteran St. Charles teacher loved children and nature

Barbara Wade always had enough room in her heart for a new friend or family member.

"You go with her somewhere and everybody knew her," said daughter-in-law Diane Wade of New Rochelle, N.Y.

Mrs. Wade, who moved to St. Charles with her family in 1965 from Greenwich, Conn., became active in many aspects of the community, which continued until she died Friday at 79.

She took time off from her profession as an elementary school teacher to raise her six boys, but then returned to Wild Rose Elementary School, where she taught hundreds of students during her 21-year tenure.

"Somewhere out there are 550 to 770 kids she sent off," said her eldest son, James of St. Charles.

"She brought learning to life," added Diane Wade. "She never forgot them (her students) and they never forgot her."

Mrs. Wade's nurturing spirit also translated into a love of nature.

Once, her son said, she rescued a baby robin that had fallen from its nest and nursed it until it was well enough to fly away on its own. She even dug for worms to feed it.

"For pets we not only had cats and dogs, but snakes, frogs and toads," her son added.

Upon her retirement from teaching, Mrs. Wade began taking painting lessons and had several works displayed at the St. Charles Public Library. She also took third place at the Darflinger Gallery's Brush and Chisel Art Show in 2004.

Each of her children now has several of her paintings displayed in their homes.

In addition, Mrs. Wade was an active member at St. Charles Congregational United Church of Christ, where she sang in the choir.

"Anyone would tell you she had an amazing singing voice," said her son James.

According to her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wade also loved to have fun, dressing up in silly Halloween costumes to entertain her grandchildren and great-grandchild.

"We have a million photos of her in costumes," she said.

Mrs. Wade loved spending summers with her family at their cabin in upstate New York and hosting get-togethers for family and friends that were never small occasions.

"She valued friends and nature above anything else," said her son David of New Rochelle, N.Y. "She kept it simple."

Mrs. Wade is survived by her husband, Alfred, and sons, James (Susan) of St. Charles, David, Alfred (Lori) of Elgin, Thomas of St. Charles, Timothy (Esther) of Scotia, N.Y., and William (Lisa) of Batavia; 18 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. today at Congregational United Church of Christ, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd., St. Charles.