Obituary of Margaret H. Madden

Margaret Madden, dedicated her life to her family, of Maplewood

On February 26, 2021, Margaret “Peg” Madden (née Coogan), 91, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family to whom she had dedicated her entire life. Her passing was as quiet as the love was strong in the room with her family of whom were with her, as beautiful as the winter’s day, her spirit as bright as the sun reflecting off the Atlantic Ocean on a clear sunny day.

Peg was the daughter of Irish immigrants who came to the United States in the mid 1920’s in search of a better life and greater opportunity. Peg was born and raised in Kearny, New Jersey, the home to many Irish and Scottish families who had arrived here from their native lands. Peg married the love of her life and our loving father, James F. Madden, Sr. from nearby North Arlington in 1954, who predeceased her in 1983. They are now reunited in heaven.

Peg is survived by her sister Joan and her husband Benjamin Sallemi, her bother Edward Coogan and his wife Theresa. Her loving and adoring five children; her daughter Patricia and her husband Gary Vest, her daughter Eileen with whom she lived with the past 22 years, her son Eugene and his wife Missy, her son James, Jr. and his wife Angela, and her son Stephen and his wife Cathy. The loves of her life were her 6 grandchildren, Jimmy, Jenna and Brian Madden, Katie, Caroline and Kelly Madden. She was the loving aunt of 10 nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents Thomas and Lena Coogan (Glover) of Belfast, Northern Ireland, her husband James, Sr, her sister Patricia and her husband John Stefanko, her sister and brother in laws Jean and George Yeomans.

Peg lived in Maplewood-South Orange for over 40 years among wonderful neighbors especially her friends of Oakview Avenue. She lived in Basking Ridge since 1999 where she spent her golden years. She was employed at Columbus-McKinnon Corporation in Millburn and as Medical Assistant at Summit Medical Group in Summit, New Jersey retiring in 1997.

A devout and committed Catholic, she took tremendous pride in her faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Peg was a Eucharistic Minister of the Catholic Church, a dedicated volunteer of the Dominican Nun’s Monastery where she helped fulfill mass card requests. She was an involved and active parishioner of Our Lady of Sorrows (South Orange) and Saint Brigid’s (Peapack-Gladstone) parishes, as well as the many Catholic Churches she frequented while spending her summers with her family along the New Jersey Shore.

We will miss her love, support, attention and gentle nature incredibly. If ever you are on a beach on a mind clearing walk, which is something she loved to do, be sure to keep your senses aware and your heart open to feel her presence. You just might find a beautiful gift from the sea, a unique treasure or message from her. Please think of it as a surprise from our Peggy.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to share in the celebration of Peg’s wonderful life and journey through this world. A funeral mass is scheduled at Saint Brigid’s Church on Friday, March 5, at 11:30am. Friends may call Thursday, March 4, from 4-8pm at Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home, 2122 Millburn Avenue, Maplewood. Internment will be held privately at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. In lieu of flowers please send donations toSt. Brigid's Church in memory of Margaret Madden, St. Brigid's Church, PO Box 33, Peapack, NJ 07977