Kathleen Madison

Kathleen Madison, a Butte native and longtime Missoula resident, passed peacefully into the hands of the Lord on Aug. 29, 2013. Kathleen was born Nov. 9, 1916, in Butte to Robert and Margaret O'Malley, both of whom had immigrated from their native countries of Ireland and Scotland. She graduated from Longfellow Grade School and Butte High, and married James Floyd Madison in 1938. The Madison family continued to live in Butte with their two children, Bill and Kathy, until they moved to Missoula in 1963.

Kathleen was a Montana girl at heart and had many wonderful stories about growing up in Butte, having picnics and attending "big band" dances at the Columbia Gardens and later at the Wintergarden. She loved ice skating and sports, and coached the St. John's girls' volleyball and basketball teams for many years. She particularly enjoyed going to the family cabin in the Big Hole on Alder Creek, where they spent many weekends and vacations until the snow got too deep to travel the road into the property.

Kathleen adapted to life in Missoula quickly, where she appreciated the milder climate and the opportunity to pursue one of her favorite pastimes, flower gardening. After settling in Missoula, she kept busy taking care of children for some of the working families in the neighborhood and to this day cherished these family friendships along with the respect and love of each of those children.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents and loving husband, Floyd; her brother, Bob O'Malley of Oakland, Calif.; and her sister, Marguerite Woolverton and husband Carl Woolverton Sr. of Butte.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Kaiser of Missoula; son, Bill Madison and his wife Cheryl of Sugar Land, Texas; her grandson, Jason Madison, his wife Erica and daughters Eva and Simona of Northbridge, Mass.; and her granddaughter, Adrienne Madison Wallace and her two sons, Matthew and Andrew, of Katy, Texas.

Kathleen is also survived by many nieces and nephews with whom she spent much time over the years, including Roberta Woolverton Landon and her husband Van of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and their family; Carl Woolverton Jr. and his wife Cheryl of Butte and their family; Margaret (Woolverton) Nitschke and family of Great Falls; and Sherri Woolverton and family of Butte.

Kathleen's family wishes to express their appreciation and gratitude for her many friends and their families in Missoula, particularly the Steve Harrington family, with whom she maintained a close relationship for many years. Kathy was her primary caregiver for the past five years. We are particularly grateful for all the help Kathy received from her neighbors Vern Wall and Gary Morrison, for Missoula Hospice, many thanks to her caregiver Dr. Eric Kress, and with special thanks to Diana Reetz-Stacey who provided breaks for Kathy so that she could have an evening out with friends and family.

A memorial service celebrating Kathleen's life will be held March 10, 2014, at 1 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Missoula. Interment will take place the following day in Butte next to her husband.

Memorials in Kathleen's honor may be made to the charity of your choice.

Read Kathleen Madison's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.