Charlotte Mae Shade

Charlotte Mae Shade (nee Swanson) passed away on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Charlotte was born on January 2, 1943, in Chicago, to Daisy and Hugo Swanson. She grew up in Lincolnwood, IL, where she graduated from Niles Township High School in 1961. She graduated as a member of the National Honor Society and was in the top 10% of her class. She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Northwestern University in 1965. While at Northwestern, she was initiated into the Alpha Theta Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta. She made many friends and memories while at Northwestern, including designing the winning float in the Homecoming parade! She knew and sang all the Northwestern Fight songs (and Niles, too)!

After graduating, Charlotte began her career in education, teaching almost every elementary grade at Lincolnwood Public Schools during her tenure. She made many memorable experiences for her students, including a train trip to the Milwaukee Zoo, concerts at Ravinia, and her favorite – Art on a Cart! She taught there until 1974.

Charlotte met her husband, David, on April 28, 1973 after he returned from the Republic of Vietnam, and they were married on January 2, 1974. They lived in Chicago during their early years, where their daughter, Lisa, and son, David Jr., were born. They made the decision in 1978 to move to David’s hometown of Crystal Lake, and welcomed their youngest, Paul, there. Charlotte was heavily involved in the community. As her children entered District 47, she became aware of the pending referendum that would allow smaller class sizes, art and music education, and after school activities at the junior high level. She campaigned tirelessly in favor of the referendum and was recognized by Superintendent Bob Blazier for her contributions to the successful referendum. Charlotte was a long-standing member of the Crystal Lake Service League, an organization dedicated to helping residents in the community in need of immediate aid. She was introduced to the organization by her mother-in-law, Adgie Shade, who was also a member. Charlotte took on numerous leadership roles, including Treasurer, Scholarship Chair, and President of Service League. Her daughter-in-law, Heidi Shade, is now the 3rd generation of the family to be involved in this important organization. Charlotte was involved in a number of organizations in Chicago. She was very proud of the work she did as President of the Civic and Arts Foundation (now Luminarts) at The Union League Club of Chicago, and was very involved with the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs. Charlotte was instrumental in establishing her family’s foundation, and the mission of supporting education and art driven organizations through leadership and support.

Nothing made Charlotte prouder than her three children. She drove her sons all over the Midwest, supporting them in their travel hockey pursuits. She did the same for her daughter in her tennis and music pursuits. As a former educator, Charlotte was very involved in her children’s education, making sure homework, projects, and reading hours were done – and done right! She was very proud that all three earned their undergraduate degrees from an original Public Ivy and was recognized by Miami University with an honorary degree. She was extremely proud that all three of her children went on to earn master degrees as well!

She welcomed spouses into the family with open arms and loved her grandchildren. Like her children, she supported her grandchildren in all of their pursuits, and it made her day when they stopped by her home for a visit.

In addition to being an outstanding mother and volunteer, Charlotte had numerous hobbies. She loved to cook, and regularly made delicious, thought-out meals every Sunday while her children were growing up. Holidays were always extra-special, with Charlotte planning out a unique meal from start to finish and putting together a beautiful table – before tablescapes became a thing! She enjoyed reading and was always looking for something new to read. Charlotte enjoyed travelling, and went on many memorable trips with her husband and family, both internationally and in the U.S.

Charlotte was a member of PEO, the Alpha Xi Delta North Shore Alumnae group, First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, Boulder Ridge Country Club, the Union League Club of Chicago, the University Club of Chicago, the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL, and the Key Largo Anglers Club.

Charlotte is survived by her husband of 51 years, David; her daughter, Lisa (Joe); her sons, David Jr (Amy); and Paul (Heidi), and 5 grandchildren – Lilly, Sam, Luke, Anna, and Lena. She is also survived by her sister, Judy Rice; her sister-in-law, Suzie Shade, her nieces, Jennifer and Jessica Rice, and Julia (Ryan) Cooper, and her nephew, Robert Swanson. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Daisy and Hugo Swanson; her mother and father-in-law, Adgie and Harold Shade; her brother and sister-in-law, Mary Kay and Paul Swanson, her nephew, Christopher Swanson, and her brothers-in-law, John Shade and John Rice. 

Charlotte was a light in everyone’s lives, and leaves behind many dear friends who loved her.

A celebration of life will be held at Crystal Lake Country Club on Saturday, June 21, from 11-2. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation in Charlotte’s memory to either The Service League of Crystal Lake (P.O, Box 893, Crystal Lake, IL 60039) or the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs (65 W. Jackson, 2nd fl, Chicago, IL 60604).