Elsie R. Shade, age 96, formerly of Christiana, passed away at the Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community on Saturday, July 20, 2024.  She was the wife of the late Henry C. Shade who passed away on May 27, 1990.  She was born in Mariewka, Romania, in a region known as Besserabia, daughter of the late Emanuel & Hedwig Schritter Gwinner.  Along with her family, Elsie was a refugee in Poland and Austria during WW2, eventually settling in Germany and later immigrating to the US, eventually earning her citizenship, for which she was grateful for the rest of her life.  Her passions included God, family, and education.  She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and looking after the needs of others.  She also enjoyed cooking, sewing, and reading and was a life-long learner.  She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Lancaster.  She was a long time volunteer with the Family History Center specializing in German translations and a member of the Marie Ferree Society.  Surviving are 3 children: Marlene W. Shade, wife of John Tarrant of Arlington, VA, Carmen R. wife of Rick Rowe of Strasburg, John H. husband of Candace Shade of Ashburn, VA, 8 grandchildren: Benjamin Rowe, Joshua Rowe, Sarah Hostetter, Zechariah Rowe, Abigail Kensinger. Peter Rowe, Daniel Rowe and Gabriel Rowe, 14 great grandchildren, and siblings: Wally Schuppe of Berlin, Germany and Horst Gwinner of West Chester.  The family thanks all the staff of Memory Garden and Skilled Nursing at Quarryville for the love and care they provided our mother.

Funeral services will take place at Shivery Funeral Home, 111 Elizabeth Street, Christiana, PA on July 27, 2024, with a viewing from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, followed immediately with a service.  Interment will take place in the Union Cemetery, Kirkwood, PA.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community.