Wednesday, January 28, 2004

Obituary: Madeline Marie (Vitale) Healy

MADISON - Madeline Marie Healy, age 70, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, at the home of her daughter, Nina, and son-in-law, David Genin. Madeline, known as Maggie, had long suffered with multiple sclerosis and diabetes. Maggie was born on Dec. 24, 1933, the second youngest of eight children born to her parents, Francisco and Mary (Reggio) Vitale. Madeline graduated from Central High School in Madison. The majority of her health care career was at Central Wisconsin Center in Madison. She married William Joseph Healy on Aug. 14, 1954. They renewed their marriage vows on March 30, 1981. Maggie and Joe enjoyed night skating, midnight swims, and Saturday dance marathons with their five children. Maggie especially loved to be surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and other family members. She opened her home to needy children and often brought home her Central Wisconsin residents for family holiday dinners. Maggie possessed a beautiful singing voice and was a member of her church choir. Maggie was an accomplished cook and baker. She was known for her homemade pasta, sauce, and Italian sausage. Maggie loved to bake Italian Christmas cookies with her children and grandchildren. Maggie served as a Boy Scout den leader. Maggie is survived by her five children, Mary Jo (Scott) Wilkerson of Marshall, Helen (Phil) Raatz of Fort Atkinson, Patty Schutte of Des Moines, Iowa, Ned (Sarah) Healy of Fort Atkinson, and Nina (David) Genin of Madison; her 13 grandchildren, Heather (Bob) See of Des Moines, Iowa, Crystal (Todd) Schneider of Cambridge, 2nd Lt. Mitchell (Katie) Powell stationed at Fort Rucker, Ala., Justin and Willie Powell and Shawn Wilkerson of Marshall, Lynsey, Lukas, and Max Genin of Madison, Madelyn and Katelyn Raatz of Fort Atkinson, and Sam and Keagan Healy of Fort Atkinson; two great-grandchildren, Isabeu and Elyjah See of Des Moines, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews. Maggie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two grandsons, David and William; her sisters, Anne Troia and Madaline Vitale; and her brothers, Joseph, Thomas, Peter, Dominic and James Vitale. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, 2004, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. A luncheon will follow. Friends may call at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004. We are eternally grateful to our courageous sister, Nina Genin, her husband, David, and their three children for the tender and loving care they provided to our mom and grandmother during her last two years. We also want to express our sincere thanks to HospiceCare of Madison for their gentle guidance during Maggie's final journey home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to HospiceCare, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711 Gunderson East Funeral Home (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 28, 2004

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