Catherine Wade

Dr. Catherine Wade passed away September 25, 2014 at Hartford Hospital. She was born on December 10, 1925 to George and Lois (Congdon) Ameer in Norwalk, Connecticut. She was the oldest of three children. After graduating from Norwalk High in 1943, she attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, obtaining her bachelors and masters degrees. In the 1970s she earned her Ph.D from UCONN. She began her music teaching career in one room school houses in Hampton, Ashford, Sterling and Oneco in 1947. Eventually she taught in the Windham public school system from 1953 until her retirement in 1992. Catherine also taught music education at Eastern Connecticut State College and Quinnebaug Valley Community College. Teaching was her passion, still giving private lessons in her home until two weeks ago. Catherine performed as a professional musician on the french horn with the Hartford Symphony, the Eastern Connecticut Symphony and toured the United States with the Busch Chamber Orchestra. Although french horn was her primary instrument, she could teach almost any instrument. In 1956, she and Francis Wade were married in the Hampton Congregational Church and enjoyed many happy years together in Hampton. Always an active woman, she was currently a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Soroptomists, Eastconn Board of Directors, Hampton Board of Education and the Windham Regional Arts Council. She was a former member of Connecticut Commission for the Arts, Opera New England and was past president of the Music Educators Association. Catherine enjoyed traveling the world with her traveling companions and close friends Andrew, Feather and Nancy G. She will be greatly missed by many other friends and former students, but especially missed by Nancy S. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Fran and her two very loved brothers George and Charles. Catherine is survived by her daughter Lois (Jay) Burgess, step-son Dennis Wade, granddaughters Sarah (Frank) Santacroce, Megan (Chris) Wood, and Rebecca Burgess and great grandchildren Rylee Santacroce, Natalie Wood and Benjamin Wood. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. At Catherine's request there will be no calling hours. Her funeral service will be held Saturday October 4, 2014 at Hampton Congregational Church, 263 Main St. Hampton, CT at 11:00am. Burial will follow at North Cemetery, Hampton. Should family and friends desire, contributions in memory of Dr. Catherine Wade can be made to Windham Regional Arts Council P.O. Box 847 Willimantic, CT 06226 or Soroptomist International of Willimantic 95 Miller Road Chaplin, CT 06235 c/o Irene Schein. For online memorial guestbook please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com