Katharine Kake Condon Condon Madden

The legendary and much loved Kakie Madden died peacefully in her own bed the evening of January 4 after 97 years of a very rich life. A funeral mass will be celebrated in her honor at St. Rose of Lima Church on Thursday, January 12, at 10 am, followed by burial at Paso Robles District Cemetery and a reception at the San Miguel Mission Hall.

Kakie was born October 6, 1919 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Ben and Lucille Condon and was soon joined by her dear siblings Pat and Ben, both of whom predeceased her. Kakie was a proud graduate of St. Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana and a lifelong supporter of higher education.

While on a trip to Salt Lake City during WWII, Kakie accepted a dinner invitation from an old family friend she hadn’t seen since childhood. The late Judge James A. Madden, then stationed at Fort Douglas, took one look at the beautiful woman at the top of the stairs, let out an audible sigh and fell in love. Before long, Jim and Kakie were married. They eventually settled in Paso Robles after they came for a visit and fell in love with the area for its beauty and relaxed way of life.

Jim and Kakie had six children who were reared on her famous pancakes, love, doses of discipline administered with “the look,” and plenty of humor and good times. Kakie took great pride and care of her nine grandchildren, attending every birthday and graduation and terrifying them with her inspired Halloween costumes. Kakie also kept her family on their toes by somehow managing to always find the funniest, tackiest birthday cards of questionable taste available.

Kakie’s life was centered around her family and her church. She loved people, still rising to every social occasion as she aged. Kakie never met a stranger and made friends easily. She was friends with half of Paso Robles and made connections everywhere her travels took her, including places as distant as Ireland, Kenya, China, Peru and the Panama Canal.

Kakie was a tireless volunteer for the arts and civic causes, leading her St Mary’s College senior class as president, serving on the county grand jury, holding leadership positions in American Association of University Women, the North County Symphony Guild, Republican Women, AFS and the Community Concert Association. As she and Jim were both pianists, they were charged with procuring for the Community Concert Association the Steinway grand piano still used for concerts at Trinity Lutheran Church. Kakie was named Roblan of the year and rode antique tractors in many a Pioneer Day Parade.

The Madden family would like to thank the caregivers of KCS Homecare, particularly Becky, Jennifer and Kim for adding immeasurably to the quality of Kakie’s last years. Kakie’s grandson Chris Madden supervised her care with both love and kindness.

Kakie's children and their spouses are: the late Pat Crawford, Kathleen Madden and Mike Patterson, Anne Madden, Jim Madden and Anna Elliott, Michael and Karen Madden, Tom and Lori Madden. Grandchildren: Kate von Ter Stegge, Christopher, Mike and Luke Madden, Tolik, Nadia and Valentina Madden, Maggie and Jacob Madden. She is also survived by five great grandchildren and by several nieces and nephews.

To make a donation in Kakie’s memory, please consider: St. Rose School Scholarship Fund, 900 Tucker Ave. PR 93446, Paso Robles Pioneer Day Committee PO Box 262 PR 93447, or Boy Scouts of America Troop 60 Scholarship, 2247 Oak Street PR 93446.

Arrangements under the direction of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home, Paso Robles, CA.