Margaret May Wade

Margaret May (Schulz) Wade passed away on March 11, 2023.  She was a good egg. Quick to laugh, strong, and independent, she enjoyed 92 laps around the sun.

Margaret May was born on May 2, 1930 to Karl and Margarethe Schulz on their farm located a mile west of Amherst. The doctor who assisted with her delivery was paid with chickens.  Perhaps that is why she was very fond of animals. One day her Dad had a wonderful surprise - a baby goat. Margaret May had never seen a goat before and was instantly enamored.  She taught the goat to run alongside her on a barrel. She was adamant that only goats should be called kids.

Although Margaret May was too young, she insisted she go to school with her older sister Donna.  The school made an exception for her and so began her life-long love of learning. 

After graduating from Holyoke High School, she went to Secretarial College in Denver and landed a job at Honeywell, where she met her husband, Dale Wade, and became a stay-at-home Mom. They had three daughters who inherited her sense of humor and would laugh so hard at the dinner table she sent them away with their plates of food to “eat on the stairs,” otherwise they would never finish their meal.  

After divorcing her husband, she went to work at Sears in 1969. She braved all the trials and marveled at the joys of raising three daughters. She was wily enough to have neighbor informants should one of her daughters have a boyfriend come over while she was at work. Her daughters puzzled about how she knew, until years later when she confessed her secret.  Her daughters had their fun too, when she wandered around the house asking if they had seen her glasses, which were perched on her head, they replied no and suggested places she might look.

As each daughter left the nest, she insinuated they were never allowed to return, but the truth was she was always there when they needed her. She was a constant source of love and support. She greatly loved her three grandchildren and as they reached 10 years old, she took each for a special vacation to Yellowstone.  Her great-granddaughter was her favorite, although she would never admit it.  

She moved back to Holyoke in 1995 where she felt comfortable and enjoyed the community.  Many thanks to all of you, too many to name, who were kind, gracious, and cared for her.  Special thanks and hugs to Debbie Speicher for her friendship and help, which made it possible for Margaret May to live at home until the last few weeks of her life.

She will be greatly missed by:  Her two cats Sadie and Webster. Her daughter Nancy Wagner, Nancy’s husband Bruce, daughter Jennifer and partner Clint, and son Jeffrey and partner Vickie. Her daughter Ann Adamson, and Ann’s son Brandon and wife Brittany and their daughter Brooklynn.  Her daughter Lori Wade and partner Ernie. Her parents, sister Donna Pomeroy, and brother Douglas Schulz predeceased her.

Margaret May requested her family sing at her graveside for her celebration of life. What a lovely gesture, except it is an ongoing family joke that they inherited her lack of musical talent. Keeping her family in good humor as always, she will have the last laugh. 

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