Theresa "Terry" Madden

Theresa M. (Morinelli) Madden, born February 2, 1936, in Schenectady, New York to Edith (DiMeo) and Louis Morinelli gently passed away on Wednesday, October 8, surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer. With Patrick "Pat", her high school sweetheart and husband of 57 years, she lived in Rotterdam and raised two daughters - Kathy and Karen. Terry is survived by her husband, Pat, and daughter Kathleen "Kathy" Massaroni (Chris) of Voorheesville. She is also survived by the loves of her life, her adoring grandchildren; Kevin, Jenna and Christopher Massaroni. Terry is predeceased by her daughter Karen Madden (Dickie Bateman) of New Haven, New York. She will be greatly missed by her dear sister, Roselyn Diamante, and in-laws Vernon Diamante, Kay and Jack Mikus, Joe Marcello, Josephine Gilheany, Margie and Paul Anderson and her many nieces and nephews with whom she stayed close over the years. As valedictorian and secretary of her Nott Terrace High School class of 1954, Terry proudly served as chairperson of 11 class reunions, including the 60th year reunion being held this weekend. Her high school group of friends whose get-togethers she cherished were very dear to her and she will always be their ultimate cheerleader. Graduating in 1955 from Mildred Elley Business School, Terry began her career working for General Electric in Schenectady for two years until she was married and moved to Battlecreek Michigan. Community service and education was important to Terry as evidenced by her long commitment and service as President of Draper School's PTA, her involvement in Relay for Life and many years of volunteering to work a booth at the church feast. Her love of children and her strong religious faith came together as she and neighbor/teacher friend, Marlene, designed curriculum for 3 and 4 year olds and opened the Woodlawn Reformed Church Nursery School. Teaching Assistant, "Mrs. Madden", with her endless energy, enjoyed 43 school years with "her little kids". Giving and receiving hugs from them along with teaching bible stories was a great joy for her. Terry's love of music began when she was very young, and at the age of 10 she received her treasured Martin guitar. Over the years Terry's creative side emerged as she sang and wrote music and a multitude of poems. As a member of Our Lady of the Assumption/Our Lady Queen of Peace parish in Rotterdam, Terry sang in the church choir for 35+ years. One of her livelong passions was traveling with her husband and friends. Her adventures took her throughout the world including Hawaii, Europe, Malaysia, Alaska, Singapore, Australia, the Caribbean, and most recently in 2013 her dream destination - the Middle East and The Holy Land. But most of all she loved doing anything and everything with her family; from quiet lakeside visits with Karen and Dickie to attending innumerable performances and ballgames of her grandchildren. From T-ball to college games, "Grammy Terry" was the ultimate fan in the bleachers. The Madden family wants to again thank Ellis Hospital A6 and The Capital Living Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre for their extraordinary, skillful, professional and compassionate care of Terry. A Mass of Christian burial for Theresa "Terry" and her daughter Karen will be celebrated on Monday, October 13 at 10:30am at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 210 Princetown Rd., Rotterdam. A visitation for Theresa and Karen will take place on Sunday evening, October 12, from 4-7pm at Bond Funeral Home, 1614 Guilderland Ave., Schenectady. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations in Terry's name can be made to the City Mission, PO Box 760, Schenectady, NY 12301 or to Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 210 Princetown Rd., Schenectady, NY 12306.