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Madeline Wrobley Obituary

Madeline C. Wrobley, age 74, passed away on June 13, 2013, the day of her 54th anniversary with her beloved husband Ralph. Madeline was born in Philadelphia, PA where she met Ralph and fell in love. They were married in Philadelphia but soon relocated to Chicago while Ralph attended law school. They moved to Kansas City in 1961 and that is where they raised their family - Kirk (St. Louis), Eric (Paris, France) and Ann (New York). Madeline immersed herself in raising the children while at the same time, becoming active in the community. After a trip to Estes Park, Madeline and Ralph built a home there and spent every summer and most Christmases, at what Madeline named Treehouse. Madeline developed a passion for hiking and visited most every lake and mountaintop in Rocky Mountain National Park. Many of the family's fondest memories took place on the trails and in the Colorado mountain air.

Madeline lived her life in service to others and over time she became a leader in the Kansas City philanthropic community. Madeline was never content to simply serve on a board or committee. She was an organizer and a doer and her actions resulted in numerous leadership roles. Madeline was the President of the League of Women Voters and Director of the Missouri State Board. She moderated many local and Statewide debates and was the Finance Co-Chairman of the 1984 National debate held in Kansas City between President Reagan and Walter Mondale. Madeline was the first woman elected President of the American Cancer Society, served on its Executive Committee and was the recipient of the Ralph Ericksen Memorial Award for Exceptional Distinction and Achievement in the Control of Cancer in 1979.

Madeline served on the Board of Directors of Family and Children's Services and participated as a delegate in the first Holt International Adoptions Seminar in Seoul, Korea. Madeline was active at Second Presbyterian Church, where she was an Ordained Elder, Chaired numerous committees and taught Sunday School.

Madeline always went out of her way to help the disadvantaged and that became her philanthropic focus in her later years. She held most every volunteer leadership position in the Salvation Army the last twenty years. Madeline was Chairman of the Children's Shelter Advisory Committee, President of the Women's Auxiliary, Member of the Advisory Board and was the recipient of the Salvation Army Award of Excellence in 1999. Madeline led her family each year to the Salvation Army to serve the poor their Thanksgiving meal. Her many contributions were recognized when she was appointed in 2010 to the Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness Commission.

Madeline worked tirelessly for many other organizations including her children's school, Pembroke Hill, the Kansas City Symphony Board, the Governor's Conference on Education Committee of the Council on Education, the Coalition Against Child Pornography and Abuse and the Women's Council of the Board of the University of Missouri Kansas City. Needless to say, Madeline never said "no"!

Madeline was a devoted Wife, a most loving Mother, doting Grandmother to Madison and Lyon, faithful friend and leader in the Kansas City philanthropic community. Madeline made friends everywhere she went. She always had a smile and kind word for any stranger or close friend alike. Her spirit of kindness lives on in all she touched throughout her life. Please help us celebrate her wonderful life on Thursday, August 8th at 3 o'clock PM at the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies (1700 Brodie Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517). In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies.

Published by Estes Park Trail-Gazette on Aug. 17, 2013.

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