Mary Rebecca (Somerville) Shade peacefully departed this life at her home on December 21, 2014. Mary Rebecca was born on June 5, 1925 to the late David Lang Somerville and Mary Daisy Fenwick Somerville in Park Hall, Maryland.

A walk along a dirt road to fetch water led her to meeting her soul mate and lifelong friend. She married William Alexander Shade on June 14, 1943, who she fondly referred to as "Willie". They were two peas in a pod. From this union, they lovingly raised eight children. Their loving marriage lasted forty-six years until his death in 1989.

Mary Rebecca received her education in the St. Mary's County parochial school system. She was a faithful Christian and devout Catholic that demonstrated God's love in all her interactions with her children, family, and friends. Mary Rebecca prayed daily to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and proudly displayed his image throughout her home. Her prayers extended to all those within and outside her family and friends. She was very active in her church, St. Cecilia's until her health began to fail. She served as a member of the choir, a Eucharistic minister, and as a member and past president of the Ladies of Charity. She provided food to nursing homes for the elderly and the sick.

In addition, Mary Rebecca was instrumental in the erection of a monument for those buried in unmarked graves in St. James' Graveyard. She would help with fundraising to obtain donations for many of the parish project. Mary Rebecca was an excellent cook, who specialized in homemade rolls, apple cake and stuffed ham, which were always made with love. She especially loved the gathering of her children and grandchildren for the holidays, especially Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter.

Her favorite pastimes included crocheting afghans, reading, praying the rosary, completing word puzzles and watching her soap operas. She enjoyed watching football and was a Washington Redskin's fan. She looked forward to conversations with friends, and spoke daily via phone to each of her children.

She was preceded in death by her husband William, her parents, her son William Jr. (Lou), her daughters Elizabeth Ellen (Bess), Mary Lillian, and Doris Rebecca.

In addition, she was preceded by her siblings Theresa, Helen Marie Sewell, James, John (Jack) and Bernard Somerville. Mary Rebecca leaves to cherish her memory her devoted and caring children and siblings: Marion Ann Shearn (John), Helen Cecilia Thompson (John), George Jude Shade (Chevokolee), and Gladys Lauretta White (Leonard); one brother Robert Somerville; two sisters Lillian Shade and Florence Holt. She also leaves behind twelve grandchildren to carry on her memory and love: John Shearn Jr., Kathy Hoard, Joseph Shearn, Denise Latten, Jessica Salgado, Sonja Shade, Alexander Shade, Carmalita Shade, William Shade III, Tiffany White, David White, and Kevin Thompson; and 17 great grandchildren.

She will be dearly missed and remembered by her brother in-law Calvin Leo Sewell; her daughter in-law Zerita Shade; her spiritually adopted daughter Lily Savoy; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends especially Eva, Emma, Lee, Anne, Lucy, Annie, and the Fenwick family. We know that she will continue to smile down on us from above with her favorite saying: "God bless you and I love you!"

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.