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BORN
1986
DIED
2015
FUNERAL HOME
Madelyn Bekele Obituary
Norfolk - A funeral service will be held, 10am, Tuesday, February 3, 2015 in Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Ethiopian Orthodox Church, located at 1350 Buchanan Street, NW, Washington, DC. The service is expected to last until 1 pm after which time her remains will travel to Norfolk, VA. On Wednesday, February 4, 2015, the viewing will be at Metropolitan Funeral Service, 120 W. Berkley Avenue, Norfolk prior to the funeral service at 11:30am. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 8100 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA. The family expresses heartfelt gratitude for your spiritual and emotional support. Condolences may be offered at www.metropolitanfuneralservice.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Madelyn Bekele
Sponsored by the family.
Mom
January 24, 2024
I still cant believe that it has been nine years since you went to your heavenly home. My heart aches for you; we all long for your presence, your smile, your wit. The glistening of the night lights on your stone recalls the glint in your eyes. And, it is like the stars surrounding you to bring a smile for those times we sat on our patio to watch the night sky together. My love for you is eternal my sweet daughter.
Lynn Godfrey
January 27, 2023
Surprised by this remembrance reminder and thought of our time Cuba. You are stilled thought of and lovingly remembered. Ms. Lynn
Brittany
October 20, 2021
I was going through old photos and found this of Maddy, she was one of the funniest people, we had a lot of crazy fun times with Nick Dolan. We miss her and talk about her often. Sending love
Lynn
December 19, 2020
Happy birthday Maddy! Still think of you and still looking for the video with you playing the conga drums in calle de hamal in Cuba. Hope to have it soon. Still looking.
Lisa Murray
December 19, 2020
You Beautiful spirited Girl. Gone too soon. Remembering you on your Birthday. Cousin Lisa
Lisa Murray
December 19, 2020
Gone too soon Madelyn. Remembering you on your Birthday!
Raissa R. Magnin
December 18, 2020
Happy Birthday Maddy! ~ Love, Raissa
Mom
December 18, 2020
December 17th was Maddy’s birthday. She will never be forgotten. She worked with such determination to overcome obstacles in her path all along her journey. This, her commencement, was a proud goal. Here listed is her imprint.
Check this out:
https://issuu.com/nsucommunicationsandmarketing/docs/may_2013_commencement_book
Lynn Godfrey
December 17, 2019
Happy Birthday Maddy!
Lynn Godfrey
January 28, 2019
Still remembered Maddy!
December 17, 2018
Happy birthday Sweet Maddy!
December 18, 2017
Happy birthday in Heaven Sweet Maddy!
Mom
December 17, 2017
On what would be your 31st birthday today, I dreamily long for the sound of your laughter and singing; wish to play with your Addy and Elijah Lee; and, think of our antics side by side in the kitchen as we prepare holiday confections. Today and every day you are alive in my heart. Your ever present spirit lifts me up and reminds me to embrace fondly all the time we had together, knowing that one day we will be reunited in eternity.
Loving you always,
Lisa Murray
October 8, 2017
. . . In spring the swelling earth aches for seeds of new life. Lovely the earth in labor, under a nervous west wind. The fields loosen, a mild wetness lies everywhere. Confident grows the grass, for the young sun will do no harm. The shoots of the vine do not fear a southerly storm arising Or icy rain slanting from heaven under a north wind---No, bravely they bud now and reveal their leaves. So it was since the beginning of the world. . . (Horace)
Patricia Bekele
October 7, 2017
Hello, Patti!
It will be an honor to have Madelyn with us in spirit in California.... I spoke about Madelyn - who she was and that she was a young bari player, Betty's niece. The room moaned when I said she'd passed away, but I said we were not to be sad, that we were celebrating her spirit. We all had her in our hearts.
Much love,
Claire Daly
Dear Ms. Daly,
Words do not adequately express how appreciative I am of your interest in meeting my beloved daughter Madelyn at the Rahsaanathon. She was familiar with your work and was so looking forward to the opportunity to meet a successful woman saxophonist who was aninspiration to her own development.
Madelyn, too, began as an alto sax player in middle school. She loved all types of music and experimented with other instruments as well. She was drawn to the rich tones of the baritone saxophone and found her niche. The bari was her love. She formed a ska band in high school and played with the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra. She pursued jazz, and, in college, decided to major in music education to share her passion
with youth who needed a positive focus. She had planned a poetry slam and jazz presentation for school children as a part of a class project to encourage writing and performance. As she began her master's studies Madelyn composed beats. Calling
attention to her Ethiopian heritage she also had begun to blend Ethiopian jazz with her original compositions, and sat in with several well-known Ethiopian musicians when they toured in DC.
Madelyn was a bright light whenever she played. She would have been thrilled to have an opportunity to learn from you and would have been honored to play alongside you as an once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thank you for the joy in thought. And please
hug my dear sister cousin Betty Neals on Maddy's behalf for introducing her to you. Our family is forever appreciative for the honor of your entertaining the idea of such a heartfelt meeting.
Sincerely,
Patricia Patti Bekele
Betty Neals
October 7, 2017
For Madelyn Bekele
I thought that I knew more
than I knew.
In our loss, I lost time
measuring winter to summer
when I used the ancient formula:
I counted 31 days January, 28 days February,
on until August, when I envisioned
you on the bandstand at Café Stritch, San Jose.
I could see it with my trendy eye:
you, there with us, family.
"The young player takes the Café by storm
with her baritone saxophone solo."
Our applause transformed into words
that landed on the timeless journal of brilliant musicians.
But I am frail in my opulent imagination.
The computer, could enhance a systemized mind
into believing that reset and page-up and page-down
is a directorial for life,
that can control everything,
even destiny.
What a blessing you are.
You showed possibilities - expansive when travelling scales,
changing keys, showing us that
harmony is the sweet place
where accord can be major,
minor, high, low,
with crescendo to taste.
Angels of mercy attend you, dear Madelyn.
Rest in peace everlasting.
(c) 2016 Betty H. Neals
Patricia Bekele
October 7, 2017
Many thanks to the family and friends who gathered to honor Maddy and attend the Unveiling Ceremony of her headstone on August 21, 2017. And, a special thanks to her Uncle David for helping to make this stone possible for his only niece.
Maddy's Memorial Back: Telling Her Story
Patricia Bekele
October 7, 2017
Maddy's Memorial Front: Telling Her Story
Patricia Bekele
October 7, 2017
Lee Kimberling
October 7, 2017
She was a good girl. Always smiled and made me laugh.
Dad
February 3, 2017
The Day God Took You Home
A million times I've needed you
A million times I've cried.
If love alone could have saved you,
You never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
No one else can ever fill.
It broke my heart to lose you,
But you didn't go alone.
Part of me went with you
The day God took you home.
I will always love you, my Angel.
Brandon Palmer
January 24, 2017
Mom
January 23, 2017
We miss your cheerful smile, your wit, your musicality...your love. Not a day passes that we don't recall something you said or did that always brightened our lives. We are thankful that He shared you with us for a time. We know we will see you again. Until that reunion day, we know that you are our guardian angel.
Carolyn Coleman
January 25, 2016
Bekele Family, May you continue to focus on the beauty and joy that Madelyn brought into your lives and to all the people and places she visited. Our butterfly flew away much too quickly, but stars in the sky each night are her way of continuing to shine love.
Kristi Duke
January 24, 2016
There are no words that will fix your pain or loss but I pray that the days have allowed some sense of comfort in shared memories. My prayers are with your family.
Lynn Godfrey
January 24, 2016
your memory shines bright
Donna Hill
January 24, 2016
This candle reminds me of the light I always saw in your eyes when you smiled. I will attempt to embrace each day and live my life to the fullest because your life has inspired me to do so. Xoxoxo
Angela Williams
March 12, 2015
Precious baby girl... you were so beautiful, so warm and lively, so creative and free-spirited and most of all you were so loved. Words cannot say how much you are missed, but truly God must have needed you more. Sleep sweet dear one.
with our host in Santiago de Cuba, July 2011
February 11, 2015
with Brittany, Deja, and handsome Cuban brother - Santiago, Cuba July 2011
February 11, 2015
sitting under this pyramid structure provides more mental focus - in a organic garden
February 11, 2015
After climbing hundreds of feet to this mountain top; heaven appears
February 11, 2015
Having at Caribbean Carnival in Santiago de Cuba, July 2011
February 11, 2015
Maddy all dressed up and taking in the Caribbean Sea breeze goin to Tynesia's birthday party
Lynn Godfrey
February 2, 2015
February 1, 2015
Bon Voyage Friend, you are greatly missed and warmly thought of.
Dr. C. Robin Nottingham
February 1, 2015
Loved her beautiful smile, and keen sharp wit. Madelyn will be sorely missed. Wishing her family peace and comfort during this difficult time. God speed to you all. Dr. C. Robin Nottingham
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