Madeline M. Harvey

Madeline Harvey, one of the Lord's sweetest and most gracious souls, peacefully returned home on August 10, 2016. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, she will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, infectious positivity, selfless giving, and unwavering faith. She was 90 years old.

Madeline was born on February 21, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Louis and Della Pusok. She graduated from Torrance High School in Torrance, California in June 1944. Shortly after graduation she took a fateful trip to Redondo Beach with two girlfriends where she met Hubert ("Ed") Edgar Harvey (who remembers she was the prettiest of the three); three months later they were married and remained so until her death 72 years later.

Because Ed was in the Military, the family moved 33 times and Madeline was frequently tasked with raising their two children, Robert Edgar, and Susan Lee Harvey during Ed's long stints overseas. She was a loving mother who would do anything for her children. A perfect example of this occurred during a family trip to Germany at the height of the Cold War when her son asked for a piece of the Berlin Wall. Although highly illegal (and dangerous), Madeline hired a taxi to take her to chip a piece out of the wall at midnight to get her son the souvenir.

Madeline was much more than just a homemaker. She received her Practical Nursing Certificate from the Chicago School of Nursing in 1954. Outside of her family life she actively gave her time to causes she believed in: she served as a Girl Scout Leader, participated in the Air Force Wives Club, volunteered with the Red Cross, taught Sunday school, participated in the CHAP (Children Have A Potential) Program, and volunteered her time at base chapels where the family was stationed.

Austin, Texas became Madeline's home of 33 years following Ed's 1972 retirement from the Air Force. Never one to idle, she soon earned an Associates' degree from Austin Community College and became a dedicated grandmother. Her grandchildren will testify in court that she made the best chocolate pie on earth.

Deeply dedicated to spreading the word of God, Madeline served on the Texas Gideons State Cabinet for 14 years, including three years as State president and three years as Widows Coordinator. Believing that nobody was unworthy of the Lord's message, she frequently went to the Travis County jail to hand out Testaments to inmates.

It is worth noting that Madeline kept a prayer book with a list of people to pray for every morning. The list included family, friends, friends-of-friends, people she had never met, and events she wished to happen. When her prayers were answered she would write "Thank You, Lord" next to whom or what she had prayed for.

Madeline is survived by her husband, Hubert Harvey of San Antonio, Texas; her daughter, Susan Harvey, of San Antonio; her son and daughter-in-law, Robert Edgar Harvey and Stormy Harvey, of Victoria, Texas; her grandson, Joshua Harvey, of San Antonio, and her grandson and granddaughter-in-law Bradley and Laura Harvey of Miami, Florida. She was pre-deceased by her sister, Wilton "Totsy" Griffith.

Madeline's life was the personification of love, grace, humility, and faith. Although she will be terribly missed by her family and friends, she will live on forever in the hearts of those who knew her.

Her family would like to specially thank the staff of Liberty House and Hospice at Blue Skies of Texas, and her trusted friend Sheila Fontenot.

She will be interred at Fort Sam National Cemetery on August 19. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Blue Skies and Gideons International.