Madeline Mary Nielsen

Madeline Mary Nielsen

July 28, 1931 – September 9, 2023

Madeline Nielsen, known for her friendly demeanor, infectious laugh, incredible singing voice, and big smile passed away on September 9, 2023, at the Commons in Woodland Hills after a period of declining health. She was 92.

Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, Madeline was always a huge fan of the movies. She spent countless hours at the movies with her friends seeing all the greatest and not so great pictures of the 1930’s and 1940’s. And in that vein, her first job was working at RKO Pictures in New York, sending out autographed pictures to the studio’s stars’ adoring fans.

Madeline worked as a Legal Secretary for 35 years both back in New York City and in Los Angeles. Some of her fondest professional memories were working at Mitchell, Silberberg, and Knupp in Century City. MS&K represented celebrities and stars of TV and film and Madeline got to meet many of them.

During this time Madeline was also a single mother to her 3 children. She took on the challenge of raising 3 kids and commuting to work from the Valley to Mid-Wilshire every day to make sure her kids were taken care of. It was hard but she somehow made it work. Madeline even learned how to drive a car at the age of 36 so that she could get to work and take the kids around more easily and reliably and enjoy the California lifestyle.

Madeline was at her happiest when she met and eventually married the love of her life, Hans (Nick) Nielsen in 1980. Nick and Madeline spent many happy years together traveling up and down the west coast and especially enjoyed visiting Solvang. They even drove cross country to visit family in New Hampshire. She loved to go to the casinos in Reno, Las Vegas, and especially Laughlin to play the slots and have fun with Nick and her two sisters, Mary, and Margaret. She even got to visit her parents’ native Sicily with Nick, who was also part-Sicilian.

Madeline enjoyed singing as well and had the voice of an angel. She would perform at retirement homes, weddings, and other special occasions with Nick working as her roadie. He would bring along their large karaoke machine to every gig and would set up all the equipment and manage the sound at each one. Nick and Maddy were truly a great, loving team. Sadly, Nick passed away in June 2011.

Madeline is survived by a daughter, Nancy Mandel, a son, Michael McGarry and his wife, Laura Ochoa, and 5 grandchildren including Marnie Mandel, Justin McGarry, Ethan McGarry and his wife Allison, Breana DiPinto, and Nicolas DiPinto, and a nephew, Joseph Santoru, and his wife Alma Guerra-Santoru. She was predeceased by her son, Mark McGarry.

We will miss you and we love you forever Madeline, Mad, Maddy, Mom, Nona, Grandma. Rest in Peace.