Geraldine Madison

It is with sadness and admiration that we announce the death of our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend Geraldine Madison. Her extraordinary life began nearly 100 years ago on July 1, 1926. Her mother Anna Narkun was a member of a large and tightly-knit Polish family in Detroit. Geraldine grew up able to speak, write and understand Polish and later in life studied at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. Geraldine was a traditional woman, wife and mother until she wasn't. During high school in the 1940s, she served as a student leader and was a star athlete, while many of her male classmates left school to fight in WWII. After high school, she excelled and was promoted at a time when women traditionally did not work. As a wife and mother she took on numerous leadership roles including girl scout troop leader and president of her neighborhood council. After marriage and children, she returned to work full time at the Orchard Lake St. Mary's schools and seminary. She advanced from secretary to the executive assistant for two of the school's Chancellors. While working full time, she enrolled in college and earned a degree at 58 years old. Geraldine continued to work into her nineties as a parish secretary for Fr. Walter Ptak at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and continued serving her community. Her deep faith and love of adventure carried into her final years, with international travel, hot air balloon rides, and sky diving to mark her 95th birthday. Geraldine was a strong leader, friend and life force, always ready to connect with family and friends. She is survived by her sister Christine Gapa, children Jerome Domzal, Sandra Gonzalez (Abner), David Madison (Tatiana) and Rebecca Clark (Matthew), grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She built a peaceful home with her dear granddaughter Lindsay Madison and partner John Eastman, who cared for her during her final years.
Visitation will be at Czopek Funeral Home, 2157 Oak St., Wyandotte, MI on May 27 from 5-9 p.m., and on May 28 from 1-9 p.m., with a funeral mass at 10 am on May 29 at Our Lady of the Scapular Church, 976 Pope John Paul II Ave., Wyandotte, MI. A reception will follow at Polonus Restaurant at 1744 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte, MI.
Geraldine supported her community in many ways during her long life. In lieu of flowers, her family recommends giving back through a donation to Hospice of Michigan or to a scholarship newly established in her name at https://coachingdetroitforward.org/college-scholarship.