Madeleine I. "Alma" Duke

Oct. 23, 1921 - Sept. 24, 2008

(Alma) Madeleine Insley Duke, 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, September 24, 2008. Services are set for 1 p.m., Saturday, September 27, at Memorial Funeral Chapel - College Station. Interment will follow at College Station Cemetery.

Madeleine (Maddie) was born on October 23, 1921, at Bivalve, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, to Bethel Crème and Paul F. Insley. She was the eldest of four children including Gloria, Helen and Paul. Her family established their home in the Hamilton area Baltimore where her father progressed to become a lieutenant in the fire department.

Her father passed away when she was 17. She graduated valedictorian of her graduation class at Eastern High School, but took employment to support her family rather than the college scholarships she was offered to become a teacher.

Following World War II, she met, fell in love with and married Burton V. Duke of Pasadena California on June 22, 1947. Burton "Duke" was a veteran of the 101st Airborne Division in the war and reentered the Army. As an Army and later a civil service family, they made frequent moves, including to Europe, and raised three children, Michael, Kathleen Reichlyn and Douglas. After settling in El Paso for 30 years, Maddie and Burton moved to College Station in 1995.

Her husband and her children were her devotion and her proudest moments were the college graduation of all three of her children. Her main interests were reading and gardening, but she is most remembered for her loving kindness to her family, neighbors and friends.

Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Burton V. Duke; sister, Gloria; brother, Paul; three children; three grandchildren, Thomas, Illissa Reichlyn and Steven as well as four great- grandchildren, Colby (7), Caleb (5), Carlie (2) and Conner (7 months).

Maddie's life of love, service, devotion and sacrifice is testimony to why her generation is often accounted as "The Greatest Generation" and will always serve as a model for her family and others who were blessed to know her. Her place in Heaven is grand as she always lived out her faith by putting others first, expecting little in return.

The family thanks all those who supported her and us with prayers and many kindnesses throughout her long goodbye.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests those wishing to memorialize her life make a monetary donation in her name to Hospice Brazos Valley, Bryan,http://www.hospicebrazosvalley.org/contact.html, who lovingly and attentively provided to her and her family gracious care for the past five weeks.