Patricia Madden

Patricia Burlington Madden of Mahwah, NJ, formerly of Wyckoff died peacefully on August 30, 2023.  Patsy was born June 9, 1943 in Ridgewood, NJ to the late Mary Ann (nee Evans) Burlington and William E. Burlington.  She was a graduate of The Academy of Mount Saint Vincent, Tuxedo Park, NY and Rosemont College, Rosemont, PA with a dual bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Elementary Education.  After graduation, she taught in the Mahwah Public Elementary Schools from 1965-1971.  She received her Early Childhood Certification from Felician College in 1978.  Patsy was the Manager of Bennett Books, an independent bookstore in Wyckoff from 1993-2007.  Her greatest joy professionally was working with high school students as an independent college counselor for over thirty years until 2023.  She was a proud member of the Monday Night Book Club for over forty years.  Some of her best memories are of summers at Crater Lake, NJ and the Jersey shore in Spring Lake. 

She was predeceased by her beloved longtime partner, Adrian C. Shanahan.  She is survived by her former husband, Thomas J. Madden, her daughters Kara Madden DuRie of Chatham, NJ and her partner Chad Apgar and Jessica Madden of Wilmington, DE and her precious grandchildren, Ella, Owen, and Teddy DuRie.  She is also survived by her sisters MaryLee (Brian deceased) Clancy of Spring Lake Heights, NJ Sheila B. Finnerty (Raymond) of Vienna, VA, and Maureen B. Caffrey (Philip) of Glen Rock, the Shanahan family and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Patsy loved traveling to Ireland and she also leaves behind her Irish cousins, the Murray Family in Delvin, County Westmeath, Ireland.

But above all else was her warmth, her kindness, and her unbelievable thoughtfulness toward each and every person who was blessed to cross paths with her.  She will forever be cherished by her family and friends who she loved beyond measure. Happy memories will sustain us all.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in honor of Patsy’s nephew, Michael Clancy, to the Joan Dancy & PALS (People with ALS) Foundation, P.O. Box 8157, Red Bank, NJ 07701 or to her friend Jennifer Dantzler’s organization, InspireND  which supports young adults on the spectrum.

Visiting hours are from 4:00 to 7:00pm on Friday, September 8th at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481

Funeral Mass is 10:00am on Saturday, September 9th at Saint Elizabeth Church, 700 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ  07481 and will be live streamed.

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