Mildred Laverne Madigan

Mildred L. Madigan

Age 107, longtime resident of Northville, passed away on January 19, 2020.  She was born on November 15, 1912 in Rockham, South Dakota daughter of Charles and Lorinda (nee Keller) Logeman. She was united in marriage to William P. Madigan on October 23, 1935, they spent 44 loving years together until his death in 1980.

Mildred graduated from Garrettson High School in South Dakota; class of 1929.  Following graduation, she attended Eastern South Dakota State and received a teaching certificate.  In the 1970’s she attended Eastern Michigan University and earned a bachelor’s degree.  Mildred began her teaching career in a rural one room schoolhouse in South Dakota.  After moving to Michigan and raising her family, Mildred started the Northville Cooperative Nursery School which is still in operation today.  She later taught at Detroit Cerebral Palsy Center in Farmington for many years.  She began teaching at Our Lady of Victory School in the late 1960’s and retired from teaching in the late 1970’s.

Mildred was the oldest member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Northville.  Active with the church, she sang in the Resurrection Choir and served as a senior money counter until age 102.  She was very faithful and devoted; she believed the good Lord would take care of everything, no matter the circumstance.  It was a mantra that got her through both good times and the most tragic of situations.

Mildred was a beautiful swimmer; she swam at the Schoolcraft Community College pool until age 99.  She liked to be on the go and travelled extensively with a group of widows nicknamed “The Grandma Gang.”  She loved spending time up north in her cabin in the upper peninsula.  Mildred was very artistic; she made handcrafted baskets, detailed artwork, and had perfect cursive handwriting.  She was quite the pool player and enjoyed playing cards, especially euchre.  Mildred was truly loved by all who knew her; she exuded kindness and was the epitome of how to age gracefully.

Mildred is survived by her loving children, Patricia VanBonn, Dennis Madigan, and Kerry Madigan; 14 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, her sons Michael Madigan and William Madigan, her parents, 3 brothers, and 1 sister.

The visitation will be held Thursday, January 23, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 W. Dunlap, Northville.  The Funeral Mass will be held Friday, January 24, 2020 at 12:30 p.m., in state at Noon, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 133 Orchard Dr., Northville.  Father Denis Theroux will officiate the service.  She will be laid to rest at Rural Hill Cemetery in Northville.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Our Lady of Victory School , 133 Orchard Dr., Northville, MI 48167.