Madeleine M. DeRaps

Madeleine Marie DeRaps, age 90, born October 21, 1921, only daughter of Gideon and Anna (Doyon) Gagnon, passed away from natural cause at The Lighthouse at Altenheim Hospice facility on Monday, November 21, 2011.

Madeleine was born in Beauceville, Quebec Province, Canada, emigrating to Waterville, Maine with her parents when she was about 16. There, she attended and graduated from Colburn Preparatory School. She was fond of saying that she didn’t know a word of English until she was 18. She married Amos William DeRaps on June 23, 1945 and after World War II, they both worked for a couple, the Parsons, in the capacity of chauffer and housekeeper. Madeleine took a “great faith leap” in 1952 to join her husband in the Panama Canal Zone, who had already gone to the Canal Zone at the urging of his brother, Henry (Hank), who had stayed in the in Canal Zone after the war for the newly formed Canal Zone Police force. It seems that jobs were plentiful and the pay “was great.” Madeleine worked for many years for the U.S. Army as a budget analyst, responsible for million dollar contracts, and for the Port Captain’s Office of the Canal Zone Government, responsible for making sure ships passing through the Panama Canal paid the appropriate tolls. “Maddy” was very active in her community, loved to play golf and enjoyed helping to organize church activities. Madeleine retired in 1982 after many years of service. She joined her husband in San Marcos, Texas, where they had purchased a home. They eventually moved to the Onion Creek community in south Austin. Madeleine loved this area, and loved living “right on the golf course.” She loved to cook and is fondly remembered for her “Bacardi Rum Cake” and homemade spaghetti.

Madeline was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 61 years, Amos; three younger brothers, Raymond, Harvey and Donald; and twelve brothers-and sisters-in-law (Amos had ten brothers and three sisters).

She is survived by her brother, Reginald Gagnon and his wife, Angelina of Belgrade, Maine; brother-in-law, Ernest DeRaps and his wife, Polly of Richmond, Maine; daughter, Kathleen (DeRaps) Thompson of Austin, Texas; nephews, Peter Muzeroll and his wife, Charlotte of Marlborough, Connecticut, David Gagnon of Vero Beach, Florida, Gary Gagnon of Lisbon, Maine and Brian Callahan of Waterville, Maine; nieces, Regina Gagnon of Augusta, Maine and Donna Richmond of Smithfield, Maine; grandchildren, Kevin Thompson and wife, Moon of Austin, Texas and Jennifer Felux of San Marcos, Texas and Cody Thompson of Austin, Texas; great-grandson, Gabriel Felux of San Marcos, Texas; great-nieces, Andrea Hosier of Millbury, Massachusetts and Kim Muzeroll of Washington, D.C.; great-nephew, Mark Muzeroll of Lynn, Massachusetts; and a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews, and many close and dear friends.

The family wishes to give a special “thank you” to the staff at The Lighthouse at Altenheim Hospice Facility for the tremendous and loving care given to our mother during her stay there. They were awesome.

Inurnment services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 3, 2011 in the Nature Garden of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park with Mr. Fred McCarthy officiating.