There is always a problem someone as popular as Mrs. Islowe Wade of Cook's Hill, Somerset has, when it comes to having a party celebrating as significant a milestone as an 80th birthday. That problem is deciding on the guest list, like who should make the cut. For Islowe that list would have been enormous if the venue was more commodious than the lovely Salt Rock Grill, where she was fabulously feted by family and friends.

Islowe has made her contribution as a community activist, and she continues so doing, not in a flamboyant, headline grabbing manner, but effectively on the sidelines and in the background. She concedes that reaching her 80th birthday put her in the so-called old age bracket, while it slows her down it does not stop her engaging, most especially in her church work, supporting her Progressive Labour Party and being an influence in the Bermuda Industrial Union.

Mrs. Wade has been a lifelong member of St. James Anglican Church. She sings in the choir; and is hardworking member of the St. James Community Guild. Likewise she's active in the St. James Stage Group; Young at Heart Seniors; the West End Community Home League of the Salvation Army. She attends regular meetings of the Fifty Plus Springfield Group. She is a member of the Somerset Manchester Unity Lodge; and Hon. Member of Somerset Cricket Club and the Ladies Auxiliary of Somerset Brigade Band. And she's considered one of the backbones of the PLP's Somerset Branch.

She had an even busier schedule being the wife for 52 years of the late Arthur Wade, Sr. He was World War 11 veteran, serving overseas with the Bermuda contingent of the Caribbean Regiment. Arthur was also a most popular and leading executive of the Leopards Club International; Ex-Artillerymen Club and Somerset Cricket Club, serving long term as its secretary and also president. Arthur passed away February 19, 1999.

The six children of the Wade's marriage are Arthur, Jr., Rudolph, Kathy, Lynn, Valerie and Laverne. They were the ones who took charge and hosted the big 80th birthday party. They said she deserved it! She worked hard raising her family, for many years as a chambermaid at Coral Beach Club.

It was at Coral Beach that Mrs. Wade solidified her interests in the labour movement. She was a Shop Steward, undertook several development courses sponsored by the Bermuda Industrial Union on the island and abroad, notably at the George Meany Institute in Washington, D.C.

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Our pictures show Mrs. Islowe Wade greeting guests at her big 80th birthday party at Salt Rock Grill. Below she receives a plaque from Bermuda Industrial Union President Chris Furbert, citing her work in the union, particularly as a graduate of the George Meany Institute in Washington.