"The Last Rose of Summer" is a poem by the Irish poet Thomas Moore, and set to a traditional melody. Inspired by a particularly lovely rose, he wrote it in 1805 while staying County Kilkenny, Ireland,

The Last Rose Of Summer

It's hard to find the lyrics to post here: there are more recent songs with similar titles. This one is a throwback to an earlier age, but it expresses the tenderness and pride Kathleen felt for all her children.

A Boy Like You

A 1901 song that perfectly expressed Kathleen's joy in the births of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren..

Mighty Like A Rose

"Comin' Thro' the Rye" is a poem written in 1782 by Robert Burns to a tune with is a variant of Auld Lang Syne (different tempo and rhythm).

Comin Through The Rye

"Beautiful Dreamer" is a parlor song by American songwriter Stephen Foster. Published posthumously in March 1864, it was composed a few days prior to his death.

Beautiful Dreamer

Hello Young Lovers

Kathleen Wade, 1920 - 2015 

Hers was a beautiful life: she made it so. It was a life of grace, good humor and generosity. She led by example, sharing her love of nature, music, art and family life. She devoted herself to actively appreciating each one of her 6 children, 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and counting.  With each one she listened, learned, empathized and supported the best in them, without judgment. Naturally they all loved her right back.  Effortlessly she extended her loving circle to friends and caregivers to the very last years of her life. 

Mom and dad met at Columbia University, both studying for their masters' degrees in music. Soon there were years of singing and rocking the little ones to sleep, singing with dad at the piano, singing Spanish songs with her primary grade students, singing solos in church and at senior centers, and spontaneous singing at family events and on road trips.  Most of the songs recorded here (and there are more to be posted) were captured when she was already over 60 years old. She never really stopped singing, even in her 90s one of her favorites, “How Can I Keep from Singing” could easily have been written for her. 

It was an exceptional life, a conscious life of love and service and song.  It was the life she wanted, or as close to it as most of us are likely to come.

Kathleen Wade

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