Alice Jean Maddock

Alice Jean Maddock, 101, a longtime resident of East McKeesport, died Sunday, July 20, 2025. She was born October 22, 1923, in East McKeesport, the daughter of the late Robert Leslie and Ethel Edna (Simpson) Gillis. Jean, as she was known, graduated as an honor student from East McKeesport High School and shortly thereafter was employed at the Westinghouse Air Brake plant in Wilmerding. There she met the love of her life, Samuel A. "Sam" Maddock. In November 1942 they were joined in a marriage they enjoyed until his death in 2002. Their union produced three sons: Donald G. "Don" (Andrea) of Ypsilanti, Michigan, John S. "Jack" Maddock (Debbie) of Jefferson Hills, and Gary R. Maddock (Carol) of Roscoe, Illinois. The newlyweds were separated shortly after their wedding by Sam's service with the U.S. Army in the European Theater, and while he was away Jean attended night classes at the Pittsburgh Art Institute. There she excelled and was recruited as a fashion illustrator by the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph newspaper. She worked there until Sam's return at the end of the war. Jean then embarked on her lifetime career as homemaker and, eventually, stay-at-home mom. After a short sojourn in the Gillis family home, the couple purchased a house of their own in the Green Valley neighborhood of North Versailles Township. They lived there until 1952 and then moved to a new home in East McKeesport. There they would spend the rest of their lives. As a youngster, Jean received Jesus as her Lord and Savior. As a teenager, she began her service to him as a Sunday School teacher at the old East McKeesport Methodist Episcopal Church, and she continued in different children's ministries for more than six decades. At the time of her passing she was a member of Miller United Methodist Church in North Versailles. As her parenting duties subsided, Jean found time to express her creativity in painting and sewing. There was always an easel in the dining room with her current oil-on-canvas in process, and her sewing machine in the far corner was usually employed creating clothing for herself or, more often, one of the grandchildren. Besides her parents and husband, Jean was preceded in death by her siblings, Glenn Gillis, Mildred Gillis, and Marjorie Woodard and a great grandson, Bennett Maddock. She is survived by her sons and their wives, grandchildren Todd (Sara) Maddock, Denise (Cory) Adams, Erik (Nicole) Maddock, Scott (Tracy) Maddock, Cara Maddock, Ryan Maddock, Julie Maddock, Christy Maddock, and 13 great grandchildren. Several nephews and nieces also survive, including Eileen Stark of East McKeesport. Eileen was a special blessing to Jean during her last months of life. She opened her home, the old Gillis homestead on Lincoln Highway, to Jean when failing eyesight curtailed her independence and was a companion and care giver during her last months. Jean was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. Friends of this sweet, gentle lady will be received from 12 pm to 1 pm on Saturday, July 26, at the Forgie-Snyder Funeral Home, 1032 Broadway Ave., East McKeesport, where a funeral service will be held at 1 pm. Interment will follow in Restland Memorial Park. For online condolences please visit www.snyderfuneralservices.com.