LEBANON, NH — Madeline Eloise (Stearns) McGonis, 86, of Lebanon, died peacefully on Monday, February 4, 2019 at the Lebanon Center Genesis Healthcare after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
Madeline was born June 15, 1932 in Hanover Center, NH a daughter of the late Fred Orin and Doris Lillian (Hazelton) Stearns. She grew up in Lebanon, attended area schools, and at 16 yrs., she began working at H.W. Carter and Sons as a “stitcher” making well known overalls and painters’ paints. On November 21st, 1953, she married Francis (Panny) McGonis, and together they created fondest memories in their home on Elm Street in Lebanon. At 48 years, her husband passed and she remained strong and independently fierce raising her daughters to provide opportunities she never had. She never remarried as Panny would continue to be the love of her life after 26 yrs. of marriage.
For 37 yrs. with H.W. Carter & Sons, she walked to work and had lunch breaks at home. Her window overlooked Bank Street and she would wave while her daughters walked home from school. With the closing in 1985, Madeline quickly found employment at Hanover Terrace Healthcare where she worked as a housekeeper and adjusted her routine of driving to work. In November of 1985, she gained employment as a housekeeper in the ICU at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital and later Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. This is where she became known as “Maddie” and she took great pride in her care of the ICU, ICU Staff, and patients. She was extremely dedicated to her work and rarely missed a day. In 2005, Madeline was diagnosed with cancer, but she was determined to return to her ICU; she later retired in 2007.
Madeline enjoyed traveling to York Beach, playing bingo, trips to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, gardening, spending time with her daughters and their families, and attending her grandchildren’s school and sporting events. Madeline most enjoyed caring for her grandchildren making dinner, sharing sweets, and having them overnight. Madeline also took great care in the upkeep of her house and yard and after retirement could be seen many days, walking “up street” and raking leaves or sweeping/shoveling her long drive-way. After breaking her arm in Feb 2013, while outside, Madeline entered Genesis. We came to miss the daily phone calls and our Mom and Grandmother as we knew her. She longed to go back home and after many years, she is finally home is our hearts.
Madeline was predeceased by her brothers; Raymond, Fred Jr.(Cy), Ralph, Eli (Sonny), Reginald, Robert and Paul; her beloved twin, Maxine Preston, and sisters Ruth Auclair, Bernita Plume, Marjorie Hines, Shirley Stearns, Jean Arsenault, Karlene Stearns, and Beverly Elliott. She is survived by her two daughters, Karen McGonis and her husband, Henry Aldrich, of Plainfield and Kelly Wallace and her husband, Rich Wallace, of Springfield, NH; 3 grandchildren: Nathan Plummer and his wife, Val, of Lebanon, Sean Plummer and his wife, Maria, of Somerville, Mass, and Brittney Wallace of Springfield NH; 2 great grandchildren, Lucas and Jacob Plummer and many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be at Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon, Thursday, February 7th from 5-7pm and a celebration of Madeline (Maddie’s) life will be Friday, February 8th at 11 am at Ricker’s followed by burial alongside her husband in the Valley Cemetery in Lebanon.
The family wishes to express gratitude to the staff at Genesis and Bayada, and to those family and friends who visited her over the years.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Family Place Parent Child Center, 319 US Route 5 South, Norwich, Vermont 05055 in Madeline’s memory. An online guestbook is available to leave a message of condolence for Madeline’s family by visiting www.rickerfuneralhome.com