LACONIA ---- On Friday, May 3, 2024, Barbara Jean Madden, 83, left this mortal world to be with her Lord and Savior after a 1½ year-long battle with pancreatic cancer.
She was born in Altoona, PA, the daughter of Jean Kantner Wimmer, and Harold C. Wimmer. She graduated from the Altoona schools, and also received a BS and MS in Art Education from Kutztown University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Barbara taught school for several years in New York, Maryland, and PA.
In 1973 she married Thomas Madden and settled in Indiana, PA. She was active in the Graystone United Presbyterian Church, the March of Dimes Walks for Life and other community causes. A stay-at-home mom, she made many clothes for her family. Her large garden provided much of their food. She also braided many rugs.
The family moved to Gardner, MA where she was active in the Covenant Lutheran Church. For seven years she ran the Tuesday Fellowship Table, a volunteer group that fed the needy and lonely once a week at the junior high school cafeteria. She also worked part time at the local hospital as a diet tech.
On retirement Tom and Barbara moved to Great Brook Village in Belmont, NH, where they spent many happy years. In 2015 they moved to the Taylor Community of Laconia, NH. There she was active in choir, Neighbor to Neighbor, Play Readers, monthly TRA socials and the many other activities and sports available each week.
The First United Methodist Church of Gilford provided her spiritual guidance, and she held many positions there.
She is survived by her loving husband Tom of 57 Years, daughters Jennifer Bivens of Cleveland, OH, and Elizabeth Tobin, and her husband Dan, and grandsons Nickolas and Gabriel of Concord, NH. Also, she leaves many family members and friends scattered across the country. Her brother Dr. H. Peter Wimmer preceded her in death. Her remains will be placed in her church columbarium.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024 at 11:00am at the First United Methodist Church of Gilford, 18 Wesley Way, Gilford, NH.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.