Madeline Rose Flais, 29, of Greensboro, passed away at Moses Cone Hospital on January 10, 2019 after a brief illness. A memorial mass to celebrate her life will be at 11 AM, Wednesday, January 16 at St. Pius X Catholic Church officiated by Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 PM, Tuesday, January 15 at Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm chapel. Madeline will be laid to rest alongside her maternal grandparents in St. Joseph Cemetery in Lockbourne, Ohio.
Madeline was born in Columbus, OH to John and Rebecca Phipps Flais and graduated from Dublin-Coffman High School where she excelled at soccer and volleyball. As a small child she fell in love with animals, especially her first puppy Ruby, and her passion for animals continued throughout her adult life. Madeline learned the basics of caring for animals at The Country School in Holmes County, OH (an Amish community) and wasn’t afraid of the intensive labor that came with tending to all types of animals. With her quiet and pensive spirit and consciousness of the needs of other living creatures she was the perfect calming presence that animals needed. She treated humans with the same loving respect and dignity and seemed especially able to relate and forge relationships with the elderly. Madeline didn’t like attention and was quiet and humble but if she saw a need to be filled she would unobtrusively do her best to help. She was also a naturally gifted artist whose extensive talent was not limited to any particular medium or subject. Her favorite time of the year was Christmas. She loved the traditions of tree decorating, baking cookies and spending time with friends and family.
She lived in San Diego briefly but rejoined her family in 2015 in NC where they relocated in 2008. Madeline loved her family fiercely, especially her younger brother Joseph. She was protective of him, wanted to meet his friends, and be involved in his life. He survives her and lives in Asheville. Also surviving are her parents John and Becky Flais of Summerfield; paternal grandfather, L. Robert Flais of Dayton, OH and a large extended family. She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Richard and Velma Phipps and paternal grandmother, Joan B. Flais.
Madeline’s family would like to thank the doctors and staff of the ICU at Moses Cone Hospital and those initially involved in her care and support. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to Humane Society of the Piedmont, 4527 W. Wendover Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27409 or Columbus Humane Society, 3015 Scioto Darby Executive Court, Hilliard, OH 43026.
Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com. Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm chapel is assisting the Flais Family.
