Janecke Christin Madsen

1927 - 2022

Janecke Christin Madsen
On February 25th, after living a very full 94 years, Janecke Christine Madsen (Ne Naess) passed away peacefully while taking a nap.
Born in London, England on June 12, 1927 and raised in Oslo, Norway, Janecke was a proud Norwegian to the very end. She grew up under the occupation during World War Two. The deprivations, fears, and hardships left a mark; she hated thunderstorms and conflicts of any type…she was a true giver and a bit of a worrier. She was very proud that her mother, her stepfather and her father were all part of the Norwegian resistance. Janecke ultimately followed her father to New York City after the end of WW2 where he ended up relocating his shipping company following a thrilling escape from German soldiers. She had studied English in Norway so was well equipped for life in the US and was known for her ability to write beautifully. While attending secretarial school and working for her father, she met and married a fellow expat and Danish shipping executive, Niels Bo Madsen.
Janecke and Bo raised their 3 children in New Canaan, CT spending many happy summers in Point O' Woods, a location that remained one of her favorite places. She centered her life on her children taking great pride in their athletic and artistic achievements as a stay-home mom. She developed a large group of friends in New Canaan consisting of fellow Scandinavian expats, parents of her children's friends, her tennis circle and her "stitch and bitch" group.
Janecke found her calling in giving to others. She was the longest serving volunteer at The Waveny Care Center and drove for Staying Put well into her 90's and long after she exceeded in age those she helped. COVID put an end to her volunteer work, but Janecke continued to live independently until the very end.
Janecke was also an animal lover who took great joy in feeding the deer, turkeys, birds and squirrels at her home on Ponus Ridge. She loved hummingbirds. She never met a dog she didn't adore and was known to readily crawl into their pens or get down on her hands and knees to cuddle with them!
Janecke will be remembered by her children as endlessly generous and mightily independent. She will be remembered by grandchildren as diminutive yet feisty, sweet and funny, and always spunky.She will be remembered by the staff of the New Canaan Country Club as the older lady they worried about who would head off onto the golf course on cold snowy days to cross country ski. She will be remembered as a regular in town who was always quick with a smile and a funny comment. She will be remembered by her childhood Norwegian cronies as a dedicated lifelong friend. She will be remembered by her CT friends as always up for a glass of prosecco and a happy visit. She will be remembered by her Vero Beach friends as a barefooted sun worshipper who loved a margarita.
Janecke lived through war, traveled the world, christened ships, adored animals, worshipped the sun and relished the beach. She proudly downhill skied well past getting the 70-year-old free ticket. She lived a very full life and will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her.
Janecke was preceded in death by her brother, Erling Naess, her ex-husband, Niels Bo Madsen, her mother Gurdren Olberg , her stepfather Birger Olberg, her father, Erling D Naess, and her half brother, Michael Naess. Her legacy will be carried on by her daughter Mette Bo Madsen, her son Erling Bo Madsen (wife Kerry) her youngest son, Peter Bo Masen (wife Jeppe) and her grandchildren Hannah Bo Madsen, Matthew Bo Madsen, Clara Mae Madsen, and Phoebe Christina Madsen, as well as her half siblings (Karen Budd, Astrid and Fred Naess) and their children.
A service will be held in the Spring, a season Janecke adored, at a date still to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Waveny Care Center or any charity supporting animals.