Obituary of Mary L. Maddox

Mary Louise Gardner-Maddox, born at home on May 11, 1931 in Woodbury, NJ, died at her home in Woodbury Heights, NJ, December 17, 2019.

Legacy

A stay at home mom and home maker for most of her life, Mary raised two sons, a daughter and two grandsons, and become a surrogate mom for kids all over the neighborhood. She was known for her generosity and for welcoming kids of all ages into her yard.

Before raising children, she worked at her brother Bill's bakery in the Kramer Hill section of Camden and Wanamaker's in Philadelphia.

Mom was an active member of the community all during the 1950s and 60s, serving on election nights at the polls, active in the PTA, teaching Sunday and Vacation Bible School at the Presbyterian Church, singing in the chorus of all the variety shows performed to raise money for the town Marshals and a host of other committees and town functions.

Mom enjoyed traveling all over the country with her husband Jim and friends and family members visiting much of the U.S., Canada, Germany, Russia and islands in the Caribbean - she also liked staying closer to home with fun trips to Atlantic City for a bit of slots, dinner and a show.

She was an avid doll and Hummel collector and enjoyed hosting parties of every kind during the holidays and in the yard during the summer months. Christmas was her favorite time of year, orchids her favorite flower, and green her favorite color. She lived in her "little green house on the corner" in Woodbury Heights for over 60 years, raising children and pets and welcoming each and every person who entered that house. Only strangers came to the front door, everyone else knew the kitchen door was open and the tea kettle was on.

Family

Mary is predeceased by her beloved parents William and Mary Louisa, husband Jim, son Carl, granddaughter Carlee, sisters Helen, Bette and Sis, brothers Bill and Pat, their spouses and many of her friends.

Mary is survived by her son Jim (Patty), daughter Cherie (Bob), daugher-in-in-law, Loretta, grandsons Ian, Buddy (Kiersten) and Kenny, great-grandson Asher, brother-in-laws Marvin and Bob, sister-in-law Dottie and numerous nieces and nephews, including her niece Barbara who was a loving help and friend to Mom over these last difficult years.

Farewell Ceremony

Relatives and friends are invited to Mary’s viewing on Saturday, December 28, 2019, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the McGuinness Funeral Home, 34 Hunter Street, Woodbury, where the Lifetime Celebration will follow at 12:00 PM.  Interment at Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro, NJ. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary's memory to the Alzheimers Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL  60601 or at www.alz.org.