Annora M. Bade

BADE, Annora Mary (Giles) - Of Flushing, age 84, died Monday, August 12, 2024, at her residence. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Mass celebrating Annora’s life will be held 11AM Saturday, August 17, 2024, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 2415 Bagley St, Flint, with Fr. Matthew Bonk officiating (livestream at www.flintcatholic.org). A gathering of family and friends will be held from 9AM until mass in the church narthex. “Nora” was born on May 19, 1940, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Flint to Herbert C. Giles and Maria Annora Giles (Taeckens). The eldest of three brothers, and future mother of four sons, Nora was destined to spend her life in the company of men. She was well suited for the task. In 1961, Nora was introduced to Patrick Richmond Bade, at his request, while attending a dance. They were married in 1963 at the “old” St. Michael’s Church and were planning to celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary in October. Pat and Nora rarely did anything apart. They were as intertwined as two people can be, deeply committed to each other, and always having the other, and their family, as the central focus of their lives. In truth, they are tender hearted people who found in each other the perfect compliment. They had a beautiful marriage. As you can imagine, raising four sons comes with challenges, which are compounded when your husband is a Flint Police officer typically working third shift. Nora rarely took any guff, ensuring all four boys were in the first pew at mass on time. She sacrificed objects of value to living room football games; carted massive amounts of groceries home every week in the station wagon, Black Betty; endured summer vacations in the “cement tents” at Bass Lake; worked bingos and festivals to help pay for parochial education; and always made delicious homemade dinners. Most importantly, she taught her sons core values rooted in her Catholic faith that guide them daily, and which are now passed on to her grandchildren. She was an incredible mom. Nora was a proud alum of St. Michael’s Catholic High School in Flint, recently assisting with the class of ‘58’s sixty-five-year reunion. She was immensely proud of both her Irish and Belgian heritage. Her grandfather, Louis Taeckens, was a Belgian immigrant who operated a carriage and gleaner shop where Flint City Hall now stands. Her grandmother, Annora (Nolan) Taeckens, an Irish immigrant, taught her to dance the Irish jig in the kitchen. During high school, Nora’s father was committed to a sanitarium due to tuberculosis. She took on additional family responsibilities, obtaining a job at the Buttercup Bakery in Flint the day she turned sixteen, and later working for Michigan Bell. From the 1970’s until the 1990’s she developed a career assisting local physicians with medical billing, often recruited to establish and manage billing practice operations. Nora was immensely proud of her grandchildren. She saw the grace of God’s love in them, experiencing their joys and sorrows as her own. Her eyes lit up when hearing about their plans and accomplishments. Nora was especially close with her mom, Maria. She helped her mom in many ways, such as occasionally giving her a perm in the kitchen sink. She had a strong commitment to her extended family, encouraging her sons, nieces, and nephews to stay close. Throughout her adult life, Nora was an active member of St. Pius X Church and St. John Vianney Church. She was an ardent supporter of Powers Catholic High School. Annora is survived by her beloved husband, Pat of Flushing, MI; her brother Robert (Catherine) Giles of Grand Blanc, MI; four sons, Matthew (Kathleen) Bade of Swartz Creek, MI; Thomas (Jill) Bade of Metamora, MI; Peter (Jennifer) Bade of Fenton, MI; Patrick (Julie) Bade of Fenton, Michigan; and eleven grandchildren: Meghan, Alexandria, Patrick (Alexandra), Andrew, Jonathan, Joseph, Madeline, Kathryn, Ava, William, and Augustus. Sister-in-laws: Kathy Giles, Anita Kathryn Giles, Mary Jane Bender, and Kareyn Bade. Many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Mark Giles and Timothy Giles. If desired, memorial contributions are suggested to Heartbeat of Greater Flint, 320 E. Fourth St. Flint, MI 48502 (www.heartbeatflint.com/donate) Arrangements by Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek, MI 48473. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com