Kathleen Madda Obituary

Kathleen Ann Madda

(nee Flaherty)

Resident of Los Altos

Passed away on February 23, 2011 in Los Altos, CA after a sudden illness. Kathy is survived by her loving husband of 42 years Michael Madda, son Brian Madda and grandson Leo Madda of Oak Creek, WI, son Timothy Madda, daughter-in-law Adrienne Madda and granddaughter Jacqueline Madda of Chicago, IL, brother Robert Flaherty and sister-in-law Na-Young of South Korea, and brother-in-law Joseph Madda, sister-in-law Mary Madda and nieces Mary Jo Madda, Lea Madda and Alexandra Madda of Sherman Oaks, CA. Kathy was born in New York, NY on November 11, 1944 where her father Robert Flaherty, a nuclear engineer with advanced degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, was working on the Manhattan Project at Columbia University. Shortly thereafter the family returned to the Pittsburgh, PA area and settled in Mt. Lebanon, PA where Kathy lived through high school graduating from Mt. Lebanon High School in 1962.

Kathy was especially active in equestrian events, show jumping and horse shows through high school and subsequently in college and developed a lifelong love for horses, dogs and all other animals. Kathy attended Georgetown University in the Nursing School from 1962 to 1966 graduating with a BS degree in nursing in June 1966. It was at Georgetown in her freshman year that Kathy met fellow freshman Michael Madda who also graduated from Georgetown in 1966 with an AB degree from the College of Arts and Sciences. After graduation Kathy commenced her nursing career in Chicago, where Mike was attending Northwestern Law School.

Kathy worked at Passavant Hospital and later taught nursing at Illinois Masonic Hospital until 1971 when she left nursing after the birth of her first son Brian. Kathy and Mike married in Pittsburgh, PA on June 15, 1968. They returned to Chicago and lived there until 1973 and then in Evanston, IL until 1988. Brian was born in 1971 and Timothy in 1976. In 1988 the family moved to South Pasadena, CA when Mike transferred to the Los Angeles office of Baker & McKenzie. In 1994 Kathy and Mike moved to Los Altos, CA when Mike moved to the Palo Alto office of Baker & McKenzie where he continues to practice law. In both South Pasadena and Los Altos, Kathy was very active as chair of the area Alumni Admissions Program Committee for Georgetown University and devoted countless hours to the alumni interviewing process for Georgetown.

Funeral arrangements for Kathy will be held in Chicago, IL and Oak Park, IL on March 6 and 7, 2011. Funeral Monday March 7 from Peterson-Bassi Chapels at 9:15 AM, 6938 W. North Ave. to St. Giles Church in Oak Park, Mass 10:00 AM, entombment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Visitation Sunday, March 6, 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Peterson-Bassi Chapels. Information: 773-637-4441. In lieu of flowers the family requests that, in light of Kathy's lifelong love of and involvement with animals, donations be made in Kathy's memory to the Humane Society of the United States.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Mar. 1, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Kathleen Madda

9 Entries

Jackie Stefani

March 6, 2011

Dear Mike, so very sorry for your loss. Kathy was so very special - a friend to all and more, she cared. She was so beautiful inside where it counts the most and outside where all could share that beauty. She will always be remembered for her kindness, her warm smile and her laughter. Talk to her, Mike. She will hear you.

Grams Lorane and (grand) Patrick

Lorane Leavy

March 5, 2011

Dear Mike and all who knew/loved Kathy,
I fell (& remained) in awe of Kathy as a freshman @ GUNS in 1962. Her exotic, auburn-haired beauty served to divert attention from the far more intense beauty of her soul, slashing wit and intellectual superiority. Kathy was a member of the 1966 graduating grade at Georgetown but was - and will always be - in a a "CLASS" of her own. Loved her yesterday, today and tomorrow,
Lorane Grocki Leavy . . . .

Charles Hornell

March 5, 2011

Kathy, our cousin, was God-mother to our daughter, Nancy and a life-long friend to my sister, Sally. She was very supportive for Sally through her E-mails and letters giving generously of her time. A gift to the Humane society will be made in her memory.

pam lusignan

March 5, 2011

Dear Mike and Family,
I was one of Kathy's 2 freshman roommates at Georgetown and have had fond memories of her over the intervening years. She was a warm giving person, with fabulous smile.
May you be comforted by your wonderful memories of her.
Pam FitzGerald Lusignan, GUNS 66

Mike Araco

March 4, 2011

To the Madda family. We have been good friends with son Brian and grandson Leo for many years and share Kathleens's love and respect for animals. May the love and support of family and friends comfort you in this time of sorrow. The Araco Family.

March 3, 2011

mike and bobby so sorry to hear this terrible news. such a pretty bride photo. i was there at your wedding. she is in heaven with bob and bernie. cate downey linn

Cyrus Anderson

March 2, 2011

To all the Madda family, our sincere condolences. We've been great friends with (brother) Bob for many years, and while we didn't know Kathy well, we know how great a person she was, as were Kathy and Bob's parents. May Kathy RIP...

Joan Callahan

March 1, 2011

To the entire Madda family : Kathy was a lovely warm spirit. Being with her made me smile. May God ease your pain. Your entire family shall remain in my prayers. Joan Kiernan Callahan G.U.N.S. '66

Darlene Edwards

March 1, 2011

Dearest family of Kathleen Madda, My deepest sympathies to you at this very sad time. (I worked at B&M.) I too, am a life-long friend to animals, and will donate to the Humane Society in her loving memory. Darlene DeGrazio-Edwards and John Edwards

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