EMILY "PADDY" WADE

1925 - 2024

WADE, Emily "Paddy" (Vanderbilt) Age 98, of Bedford, died on February 29, 2024, following a brief illness. Born in 1925, Paddy was the daughter of the late William Henry Vanderbilt, III, former governor of Rhode Island and Emily O'Neill Davies. She was raised in New York City and Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Paddy served as a vibrant career volunteer with a deep interest in on-the-ground science. She developed a keen aptitude for math and science. After attending Foxcroft School in Middleburg, Virginia, she enrolled as one of only seven women in a freshman class of 728 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned a degree in chemistry in the class of 1945. It was there she met her future husband, Jeptha Homer Wade of Cleveland, Ohio. A lifelong land conservationist and naturalist, she and her husband, Jeptha, were instrumental in protecting two important forest properties in Georgia – containing significant old-growth stands where research is conducted on the ecology and preservation of the longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem. In 1983, Paddy, along with the directors of seven Boston museums, co-founded the Museum Institute for Teaching Science to help inspire and engage elementary school teachers in inquiry-based science learning at a critical time when interest in technology and science was on the wane. In 2019, the organization changed its name to the Wade Institute for Science Education to reflect its ongoing mission and honor Paddy's leadership. Paddy remained actively involved with her alma mater, MIT. She served for about 30 years on the Corporation, the board of trustees of MIT. Paddy was also the second woman to serve as president of MIT's Alumni Association. While on the Corporation, Paddy served on a variety of committees, including its Executive and Development Committees as well as its Joint Advisory Committee with MIT students. She was the Corporation's representative to the MIT Community Service Fund and served for many years as its co-chair. She was inducted into the Massachusetts Hall of Fame for Science Educators for professional contributions to science education. Paddy was a loyal supporter of Manomet, an international organization that uses science-driven solutions to improve ecosystem health and human well-being, for more than four decades. She served as Chair of the Board from 1993 to 2010, during which time she reinforced her unwavering focus on science. She was an active member of the Board until her recent death. Paddy was a strong supporter of Mass Audubon throughout her life, beginning in 1949. It was there she developed her passion for birding alongside William Drury, a renowned ornithologist. She served on its board of directors for 23 years. She worked diligently to advance their mission in education, conservation, research and advocacy. For her efforts, she was presented the Allan Morgan Award for Lifetime Achievement. Paddy also had strong ties to Zoo New England, where she managed the Children's Zoo concession stand and nurtured a baby gorilla. She was a trustee of the Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, MA. Paddy was an active Bedford resident since moving there in 1952. She engaged in town politics, serving on various local committees. Her church, St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Bedford, was very important to her, especially their outreach programs for community service. The project in Haiti was particularly meaningful to Paddy. She was predeceased by her husband of sixty years and sister Anne Hartwell. She is survived by her children, William Garretson Wade and his wife, Donna of Unity, ME, Emily Wade Hughey of Brookline, MA, Randall Hand Wade and his wife, Agnes of Amherst, MA and Rebecca Wade Comstock and her husband, Richard of Chappaqua, NY; her sister, Elsie Aidinoff of New York, NY; and brother, William Henry Vanderbilt of Ketchum, Idaho and his wife, Ann; ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 100 Pine Hill Road., Bedford, on Saturday, May 11, at 11:00. For Livestream of service, https://m.youtube.com/live/ FSTvGsRpwUo?feature=share Interment to follow immediately in the Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Wade Institute for Science Education, 1354 Hancock St., STE.302, Quincy, MA 02169 or Mass Audubon, c/o Member services, 208 S. Great Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773

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