Annette Dianne Madel, formerly of St. Mary’s County, Maryland, passed away on April 3, 2018 in Williamsburg, VA. Annette was born on August 20, 1940 in Creston, Iowa. She was the daughter of Margaret and stepfather Michael McEnery. Her siblings include half-sisters, Lee McEnery of Friday Harbor, Washington and Christine McEnery of Carmel, California. Annette is survived by her mother of Carmel-by-the Sea, California and loving husband of fifty seven years, John Louis; daughters Lisa Downs Geyer of Monument, CO, Priscilla (deceased), and Emelie Anne Madel-Toner of Carolina Beach, NC and sons John Michael Madel of Indian Trials, NC, Timothy Engelhardt Madel of Inverness, IL and Kurt Frazier Madel of Richmond, VA. There are ten grandchildren and one step grandchild. Additionally, Annette and John have fostered a young girl in India for many years.
Annette graduated from Margaret Brent high school in Helen, Maryland and attended college at Towson University and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Besides being a domestic engineer raising five children, Annette worked in the public school system as a media specialist assistant, and as a financial clerk for the St. Mary’s County Treasurer’s office.
Annette was involved in various community activities including the ten-year program to rebuild an 1852 Lighthouse on St. Clement’s Island, the site of the first English settlers in Maryland. Her main interest throughout her life has been books, both reading and listening to books on CDs. She was a member of several book clubs in southern Maryland and Williamsburg. In St. Mary’s County, she was an avid supporter and participant of the Friends of the Library serving as President for a two-year period. In addition to reading, Annette’s other major hobby was working the daily crossword puzzles from the newspapers. Annette loved to travel and with their trip to Alaska, she would brag to John that she had been to all 50 states. She also had a love for small dogs and cats and while in St. Mary’s the household got to a total of three dogs and seven cats on their little farm. Annette loved cooking for her family especially baking a variety of cookies during the Christmas holidays.
Annette and John, along with their dogs Jo-Jo and Hootie, moved from St. Mary’s County, MD to Williamsburg, VA in 2012 and established residence at WindsorMeade Continuous Care Retirement Community. One of her major efforts at WindsorMeade was being the chairperson of the Resident’s Council Library Committee for several years. Here, Annette, a lifetime Methodist, became a member of the Williamsburg United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Heritage Humane Society, 430 Walter Mill Rd. Williamsburg, VA 23185 or Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Rd. Williamsburg, VA 23185.
A celebration of her life will be held 12:00 Noon Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Williamsburg United Methodist Church. Reception will follow at WindsorMeade, 3600 Windsor Hall Dr. Williamsburg, VA. Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.
