Sally Jean Ade

When reflecting on the life of Sally Ade, it is easy to see her unending devotion to her family. She selflessly lived to care for her husband and nurture her children, however, she truly beamed when being surrounded by her grandchildren and later in life, her great-grandchildren, too. Sally was the sort of person who never met a stranger and was a loyal and lifelong friend. A woman of faith, her life exemplified what it means to be a servant of the Lord she loved. As her family and friends can attest, Sally had a genuine and fun-loving sense of humor while still being gracious to everyone she met. Although she will be deeply missed, her timeless legacy will continue on in the lives of all who follow in her footsteps.

The 1920s were predominantly a prosperous decade, however, things were drastically different after the crash of the stock market in 1929 ushered in the Great Depression that covered our nation like a blanket throughout the 1930s. Jobs became hard to find, and during the peak of the jobless rate the unemployment rate soared to over 25 percent. Amidst this trying time was the year 1934 that was met with great anticipation for a young couple from Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they were expecting a baby as spring settled in. The big day finally arrived on May 15th when the baby girl they named Sally Jean made her grand entrance as the second of four children born to Edward and Jean (Beuker) Garber.

Raised in the family home alongside her older sister, Arlene, and her younger siblings, Marilyn and Charles, Sally experienced a typical childhood. Her father was a store clerk at Keeler Brass Company while her mother was a dime store clerk in addition to being a homemaker. Sally was a student at local schools, and she and her family were members of Franklin Street Church of Christ. She could often be found hanging out with her girlfriends and regularly attended school functions and dances. Sally went on to graduate from South High School in 1952.

Not to be forgotten during her high school years was Sally’s introduction to the young man of her dreams. His name was Roland Ade, and they began dating while still in high school. After high school Sally worked as a secretary at Standard Oil and later took come classes in nursing. During this time Roland was drafted into the United States Army during the days of the Korean Conflict. He remained in the military for two years during which time their love continued to deepen.

When he returned, Roland married his sweetheart, Sally, on August 13, 1952, at Franklin Street Church of Christ. The newlyweds took no honeymoon as Roland needed to report back to active duty.

With his military duties fulfilled, Roland returned and the couple settled into an apartment, but they later bought a house at 135 Covell Avenue, SW, where she called home until shortly after Roland died . Together they welcomed three children, Jeffrey, Gregrey, and Carey, into their hearts and home. The Ade family enjoyed being together and were full of adventure. There were wonderful vacations together such as the times they rented cottages on Silver Lake, Lincoln Lake, or Platt Lake, and they also camped in a pop-up camper and later in a travel trailer. They joined NCHA (National Camping and Hiking Association), and together with many other regular families they traveled all over Michigan attending camping jamborees and numerous Michigan festivals. Through these travels they made countless friends, and they looked forward to upcoming camping adventures to get reacquainted every year. Even once their children were grown, Sally and Roland continued traveling with their NCHA families for many years, making lifelong friends along the way. The Ade family became members of Immanuel Lutheran Church where they were all very actively involved. Sally sang in the choir and was part of the women’s guild and the altar guild.

As her family can attest, Sally was a fantastic wife, loving mother, and amazing homemaker as well. She selflessly tended to the needs of her children in whatever they were doing in and out of school. With three growing boys Sally made delicious home cooked meals of meat and potatoes, roasts, pies, cookies, and cakes in addition to hearty breakfasts. Of course there was dessert with every meal, too. Sally was also a meticulous housekeeper whose home was spotless down to her sparkling clean floor. In addition, she sewed and mended all their clothes and made numerous crafts as gifts as she crocheted, and knitted slippers and mittens including for the boys.

Although Sally was first and foremost committed to her home and family, she enriched her life with other things as well. She and Roland loved to square dance with their square dance group, and once their children were grown they traveled more extensively to places like Israel, Hawaii, Alaska, and Ireland just to name a few. Sally loved her soap operas in the afternoons as well as classic shows such as Hee Haw, Art Linkletter, and the Lawrence Welk Show. She also loved to read, primarily from Readers Digest Book Club. In addition to being involved at church, Sally also kept in close contact with her neighbors. When grandchildren arrived, she loved being with them whenever she could. Sally always remembered their birthdays or special days, often babysat for them, and regularly attended their school events. Having a birthday was special when Sally was around, too, as everyone got a delicious home cooked meal along with a homemade birthday cake.

As Sally got older dementia closed in, and her health only became more compromised after her beloved Roland’s sudden death on Jan 3, 2013. Soon after, Sally moved to Crystal Springs Assisted Living.

Kindhearted, gracious, and selfless, Sally Ade was a true gift to all who were near. She could be strong willed when it came to things she was passionate about, and her devotion to her family was unmatched. Sally will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were blessed to know and love her.

Sally Jean Ade, aged 80 of Byron Center, MI, passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Roland Ade. She is survived by her children, Jeffrey and Della Ade, Gregrey Ade, Carey and Diane Ade; 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; her sisters and brother, Arlene Penning, Marilyn (Marv) Hulst, Chuck (Nancy) Garber; many nieces, nephews and friends. Sally was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and a friend to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. A service to celebrate Sally’s life will be held Monday at 11:00 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2 Michigan NE, with interment in Rosedale Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the church on Monday from 10:00 AM until the service begins at 11:00. Contributions in her memory may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or Spectrum Health Hospice. To read more about Sally’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com