Barbara McFadden

Barbara A. McFadden

Barbara A. McFadden, age 79, Neenah, passed away Monday, October 21, 2013 at Northpoint Medical and Rehabilitation Center, Oshkosh. Barbara was born on July 27, 1934, in Lancaster, NH to Clarence and Geneva (O'Dowd) Greenough. As a girl, Barbara loved small town New England life, enjoying her friends, school, and spending time with her mom and dad, her grandparents Papa Jim and Nana Katie O'Dowd, her Aunt Pauline O'Dowd, and her younger brother Jim Greenough, all of whom preceded her in death.

After graduating high school in 1952, Barbara moved to Boston, where she attended the Burdett School of Business and worked as a secretary to the president of the New Central Railroad. On September 4, 1954 she married William McFadden in her hometown of Lancaster. They moved shortly thereafter to Neenah, where they raised five daughters. A stylish, superb seamstress - she could make a lined straight skirt with a waistband and a zipper in under an hour - Barb loved babies and toddlers, reading, the Green Bay Packers, attending her kids' school concerts, games and art shows, the Fourth of July, orange circus peanuts, summer weekends with the "Barbershop campers", SHOPPING, sunny-but-cool autumn days, Christmas, and - more than anything else - being a mom. (How many times did her girls go to bed excited about the latest outfit she was working on, only to wake up the next morning and find it hanging on the upstairs hallway closet door, completely finished and ready to wear to school that very day? Too many to count.)

A treasured friend and trusted neighbor, Barbara found her greatest pleasures in the day-to-day moments of family life: a busy house filled with kids, a sewing or decorating project underway, sneaking that last slightly-overdone brownie while catching up with a good book or a favorite TV show. When her girls were older, Barb enjoyed new friends she met at water exercise classes at Neenah's YMCA and volunteering in her community, driving for Meals on Wheels and making sure that the designer duds donated to Neenah's St. Vincent dePaul store were tidy and beautifully displayed. For those who are so inclined, please consider a donation in Barbara's name to a local organization dedicated to helping others appreciate those same simple pleasures, such as the Neenah Public Library Fund, the Christine Ann House, the Neenah Park & Recreation Department's Sunshine Fund or the YMCA's Strong Kids Campaign.

Survivors include her husband of 59 years, William McFadden of Neenah; daughters Cynthia McFadden of Neenah, Patricia Sprenger (John) of Zittau, Kelly McFadden of Chicago, Amy Zubryd (Dan) of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Rebecca McFadden of Milwaukee; grandchildren Jill Hatton (David) of Oshkosh, Olivia Witthun (Greg) of Neenah, Jesse Sprenger (Amy Bubnis) of Oshkosh and Madelyn Zubryd of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and great-grandchildren Addison Witthun and Rowan Witthun of Neenah and Jackson Sprenger of Oshkosh.

A private celebration of Barbara's life will be held at a later date. At her request, those who attend should enjoy a bite to eat and a few drinks, and talk about how wonderful she was. (Don't worry, Mom: We'll designate a proxy to politely voice displeasure on your behalf if the food isn't served as hot as it should be.) Inurnment will be in Highland Memorial Park, Appleton.

The family extends their thanks to the wonderful caregivers that Barbara met on her journey over the past two years, especially the staff of Generations Hospice and Dr. Thomas Mattio of Neenah's Neuroscience Group, for their kind and compassionate care.

Dearest Barbara - words cannot express our love and the deep gratitude we feel for the extraordinary example you set. Your kindness, compassion, and generosity; your sunny spirit, and great good sense - how privileged we were to have had you in our lives. Throughout your life, you were so strong, and so brave - as a young girl, when your dad died; and so many years later, when dementia took hold. You were the first - and best - woman that your daughters knew. Thank you for always being there, and for your unwavering love and support. We love you and miss you. You will never be forgotten.