Margaret Madden

Margarethe, also known as Margaret or Greti, was born in Linz, Austria on June 23, 1928 to Stefan Rochus Koch and Maria (Winkler) Koch. Margaret, the youngest, had seven siblings: Stefanie (Koch) Smith, Gerda (Koch) Giove, Alexander Koch, Mitzi (Koch) Schurz, Eva (Koch) Tomasi, Karl Koch, and Anna (Koch) Silk, all who have predeceased her.

Margaret’s lifelong love of classical music began in her early years where she attended operas in her beloved city of Vienna, Austria. She cherished her beautiful homeland and its lush green mountains and the Danube River. But her formative years were under the dark clouds of the second world war. Growing up with war taught her endurance, strength, and cleverness; skills that would enable her to survive many hardships in her life, as well as successes. The war also led to meeting her husband, Eugene Madden, Sr. while he was in the army, stationed in Linz, Austria.

Margaret immigrated to the United States in 1947 as a young wife and mother, understanding little English nor the culture of a new country. Over the years she learned the language and the American way, and eventually resided in Vienna, Virginia with her family.

Margaret began a career in early childhood education which led to a home-operated childcare business that grew exponentially over the years to a private daycare center called “Wien Private Day School” in Vienna, Virginia in 1975. Margaret was the first foreign born woman to own and operate a daycare center in the Town of Vienna. Her goal was to guide children toward a well-adjusted and well-educated adulthood. She pioneered a curriculum which encouraged the children to learn gardening, swimming and other sports, music, assigning of chores to instill responsibility and the teaching of her native German language. Margaret was a very successful businesswoman and three of her daughters became involved in the childcare industry. Margaret retired in the early 1990s but continued to consult with her daughters on daycare practices.

Margaret will be remembered for her fiery spirit, tenacity, perseverance, and wisdom. She could always be counted on for a back-handed compliment and was never afraid to tell you exactly what she thought. For example, she might tell you your hair looks good…for a change, but always with humor even though it could be the truth. Margaret readily gave advice, but was seldom interested in getting any, and had an uncanny ability to read people. Margaret enjoyed dancing, operas, and Broadway theater, traveling the U.S. and Europe, reading, and going to Atlantic City, N.J., where she lived several years by the ocean. She maintained her movie-star looks her entire life. Margaret always dressed to impress.

Margaret’s last thoughts were of her family and although she seldom said it, she loved them all. Margaret is survived by her children, Eugene C. Madden, Jr. (Susan), Sharon Dove, Karen Reid, and Stephanie (McCauley) Vaughan (Brian); her grandchildren, Denise (Dove) Michael, Stanley Dove, Jr., Stacey (Dove) Zaragoza, Tamara (Reid) Bagley, Michael Reid, Jr., April (Reid) Green, Jami (McCauley) Aguirre, Carla (McCauley) Marquez, Patrick Snowden, Jr., Dustin Snowden, and Tyler Snowden; her step-grandchildren Kara Vaughan, Evan Vaughan, and Michael Vaughan; and her 20 great-grandchildren.

Margaret is preceded in death by her husband, Eugene C. Madden; her youngest daughter, Christina Snowden; and her grandsons, John Madden and Kevin Madden.