Marguerite Madden

Marguerite "Rita" Madden (nee Holloway) passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loving family and devoted caretakers at the glorious age of 100 years. Marguerite is the dearly loved mother of Marilyn "Lyn" Madden of Canmore and Washington, DC, and of Sharon Madden Harkness and her husband, Richard, of Idyllwild and Santa Barbara, California. She is the adoring grandmother of Heather Lee Harkness, also of Idyllwild, with whom she shares her sense of humor and a love of acting and the theatre.

Marguerite was predeceased by her husband, the love of her life, Francis S. Madden, and her son, Michael Barrie Madden. She was also predeceased by her mother, Mary I. Holloway (nee Barrie) of Canmore, as well as by her four siblings: Doris (Harold) Williams of Richmond BC, Eric (Marguerite) Holloway of Montreal, Frank (Dorothy) Holloway of Oakville, Ont., and Eileen (Larry) Ashdown of Canmore.

She is survived by her sisters-in-law; Marguerite Holloway and Teresa Logan of Pte. Claire, Que., and Beatrice Thompson and Patricia Madden of Montreal. Marguerite leaves as well numerous beloved nieces and nephews, their spouses and children and on to the third and fourth generations across Canada.

After WWII, following a job offer, Marguerite and Frank moved to New Jersey where they lived and raised their family in Montclair until Frank's passing in 1983. Desiring to be with natal family, Marguerite began her move to join family: her mother, Mary I. Holloway, sister and brother-in-law Eileen and Larry Ashdown, and their children Catherine and Gary Ashdown. She was able to watch Catherine's children; Angela and Adam, and Gary and his wife Jackie's children; Desi and Chad grow up and in some cases begin families of their own. She loved living in Canmore where she has made many lasting friendships, and was able, along with her sister, Eileen, to further develop their talents in oil and watercolour painting.

A memorial service was held for Marguerite on Friday, November 23, 2012 in the Ralph Connor Memorial United Church, Main Street, Canmore, with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to "The Smile Train" international charity or to Canmore and Area Health Care Foundation, dedicated to Canmore Community Care, 1100 Hospital Place, Canmore. T1W 1N2

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.