Mary Ann "Marion" Madden

Mary Ann “Marion” Madden (née DeSalvo), 85, of Newtown Square, PA, died peacefully on November 11, 2022, surrounded by her family.

Born on July 28, 1937, in southwest Philadelphia, Marion was the only child of John and Mary (Petrarca) DeSalvo. She grew up in St. Barnabas Parish where she forged lifelong friendships with “Aunt” Ellen Ann Dickinson among many others. She graduated from Bartram High School and worked at Abbotts Dairy as an executive secretary.

Marion married James J. “Jim” Madden, Jr. in 1958, and together they raised their 3 children. They moved numerous times during their life together, and wherever she was transplanted, throughout her life, Marion forged a wonderful family of friends. Wherever she went and no matter how long she knew you, once you were her friend, you could always count on her unconditional love and appreciation.  

Marion is survived by her beloved husband of 64 years, Jim; daughter-in-law Jolene; daughter Joanne Finger (Kevin); son John (Heather) and their 6 children: Christin Madden, Erika Ryan (Daniel), Nicole Ceneviva (Nicholas), Timothy Madden (Morgan), Daniel Finger and Margaret Sullivan (Benjamin). Her12 great-grandchildren Julius, Gianni, Sierra, Avalina, Vinae, Milania, Santino, Isla, Jack, William, Elle and Charles adored their “GG-Mom.”

Marion was predeceased by her son James (“Jimmy”) who passed in 2020, and her family takes comfort knowing that she has been reunited with him. Marion’s greatest consolation following Jimmy’s death was the love and support of Jimmy’s wonderful family: her daughter-in-law Jolene Madden, her granddaughter Erika Madden Ryan (Daniel) and her 4 children.

One of Marion’s favorite sayings was, “Good things come in small packages.” The petite Marion was truly the embodiment of that saying. She was a devoted wife and mother and a loyal, generous friend. She unselfishly did for others. She was a loving, strong person with a dry sense of humor who enjoyed life. She loved playing golf and canasta with her girlfriends. She also played a mean game of bocce and Wii Bowling. She took delight in traveling all over the U.S. and abroad with Jim, and a highlight of her life was taking her whole family to her grandparents' homeland of Italy. 

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing from 6-8 PM Tuesday, November 15, 2022 and 9-10 AM Wednesday at The Donohue Funeral Home, 3300 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073, followed by her Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM at St. Anastasia Church, 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA. Internment at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a contribution to one of your favorite charities in memory of Marion. That will surely make her smile!