Madeline Vanderford

Madeline Vanderford CHESAPEAKE - In loving memory of Madeline J. Vanderford, born March 15, 1960 in Ironwood, Mich., who passed away Monday, Nov. 1, 2010, suddenly and unexpectedly in Chesapeake, and is now at peace with our Lord. Madeline graduated from Ironwood Catholic High School in Ironwood. She was a devoted member of St. Therese Catholic Church in Chesapeake where she tirelessly volunteered and worked tending to the sick, infirmed, homeless and needy, she will be sadly missed. She was retired from the U.S. Navy and currently employed as a civil servant at the United States Joint Forces Command, Norfolk. She was part of the J3 Operations Directorate Emergency Action Cell. She was nominated by the J3 in 2000 and 2003 as their choice for Civilian of the Quarter. She worked as the Emergency Action Cell operator on Sept. 11, 2001 and was one of the first responders to that tragedy. Madeline is preceded in death and joins her father, Louis Pete Menara; mother, Shirley Morrison Menara; brothers, Ricky Menara, John Menara Greg Menara in heaven now with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She will be sorely missed by her loving husband, David Vanderford and her sons, David Jr., Charles; daughter April; her grandson, Chandler and her faithful companion, Jeb. Other surviving include her brothers and sisters, Louie Menara of Hibbing, Minn., Debbie Barbera of Portage, Ind., Jeff Menara of Milwaukee, Randy Menara of Houghton, Mich., Wendy Menara of San Marin, Calif., Kelly Menara of Fort Worth, Texas; and her many nephews and nieces around the country. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9, at St. Therese Catholic Church, Chesapeake, with burial in Arlington National Cemetery Dec. 28, 2010. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations to St. Therese Catholic Church, 4137 Portsmouth Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23321. Foster Funeral Home, Portsmouth handling arrangements. Madeline was a humble and forthright person who sacrificed the few luxuries that she had for the good of the many. She traveled around the word helping out the needy at such places as Haiti and Italy. A devoted member of her community, Madeline strived for the betterment of society and helped out at local homeless shelters and hosted many community dinners. With tragedy comes growth and her grateful actions will never be forgotten.