WINTER HARBOR and SWAMPSCOTT, Mass. – Adelaide Gerrish Wakefield, 99, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 18, 2012. Born Sept. 16, 1912, in Winter Harbor, Adelaide was the youngest of six children of Joseph Miles and Annie Maude McKay Gerrish.
Adelaide is survived by her three children, Elizabeth Rossman of Swampscott, Mass., Joanna Bligh of East Hanover, N.J., and Roger Wakefield of Bedford, N.H.; and eight grandchildren. She is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews. Adelaide was predeceased by her siblings, Marie Clark, Alton and Harold Gerrish, Ina Bean and Cora Foster.
Adelaide graduated from Winter Harbor High School at age 16. She worked at Gerrish’s Store – founded by her parents, until moving to Boston, where she attended Bryant and Stratton School. Soon after, Adelaide married Frederick Wendell Wakefield, a native of Winter Harbor, on Christmas day 1939. Adelaide and Fred raised their three children in Northborough, Mass. Adelaide and Fred were very active in the community and First Congregational Unitarian Church. Adelaide served as assistant town clerk in Northborough, Mass. After retiring to Winter Harbor in 1971, Fred unexpectedly passed away in 1977. Adelaide resumed her many community activities, especially fund raising for Channing Chapel. She assisted at Winter Harbor Elderly Housing Committee, Winter Harbor Historical Society and Order of the Eastern Star.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside ceremony 3 p.m. March 30 at Greenwood Cemetery, Winter Harbor. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Channing Chapel, 18 Chapel Lane, P.O. Box 310, Winter Harbor, ME 04693 or Winter Harbor Historical Society, P.O. Box 400, Winter Harbor, ME 04693. Arrangements are under the care of Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. Condolences may be expressed at
www.jordanfernald.com.