“May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
Of Irish and Scottish ancestry, Sister Madeline was born in Providence, R.I., the daughter of Angus and Madeline McAdam. The third child of four, she grew up with her two brothers and one sister just two doors away from St. Teresa's Convent. She attended St. Teresa School, where she was taught by SNDdeN, and went to high school with the Mercy Sisters.
With close proximity to St. Teresa’s Convent, she got to know, love and admire the Sisters. Perhaps it was no surprise to anyone when she decided to enter. Her parents were thrilled!
She earned her BA from Emmanuel College, Boston and over time an MA in Business Education from Boston University. She also attended Rhode Island College, Fordham University, and Fairfield University.
Sister Madeline's first assignment was to Lawrence, Mass., where she was driven daily to the mission school of St. Rita where for two years she taught fourth grade. On her first day at St. Rita’s, 74 students arrived but there were only 50 desks! As quickly as possible she obtained more furniture for the classroom.
A teacher for 27 years, Sister Madeline taught boys and girls of all ages. In high school she focused on the subjects of religion, history and accounting. She then moved into parish administration, also serving for 27 years. Sister Madeline was a teacher and pastoral assistant at St. Thomas More Parish in Darien for 29 years before her retirement in 2014.
At the time of her 70th Jubilee in 2021, Sister said she was grateful to live in Julie House in Windsor, Conn, with other Sisters who enjoy independent living. She particularly enjoyed the gardens that surround the house. And she continued to be delighted that her niece, Ellen McAdam, is also a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur.
Sister Madeline died on May 20, 2022, at age 89 and after serving as Sister of Notre Dame de Namur for 70 years.
She leaves her nieces Ellen McAdam, SNDdeN, Mary Dean, Ann Griffin, Kathleen Prickett; a nephew Robert McAdam; sister-in-law Toni McAdam; and a cousin Agnes Ball. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by brothers Robert McAdam and Angus J. McAdam and a sister Mary Anderson.
A Prayer Service will follow at 2 p.m. A Prayer Service and Mass of Christian Burial were held Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at Julie House. Sister Madeline is interred at Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield.