Ellen "Nell" Madrick

Ellen "Nell" Madrick nee Daly, 88, died surrounded by family in her home on December 15, 2023. Ellen was born on November 23, 1935 in Mallow, County Cork, Ireland to James and Hannah Daly. She was the youngest of five children and often recounted fond memories of roaming the fields of Mallow with her siblings with a spirited freedom. After graduating from secondary school, like many Irish youth, Ellen immigrated to England in search of work. There she met and married Thomas McKenna and began her family with children Joan, Kevin and Eileen. Always resilient and brave, Ellen and her family immigrated to the United States, settling on Long Island in 1964. She followed many extended family members to Long Island and began her long career with Trans World Airlines. Ellen worked in many roles at TWA retiring in 1991. It was during that time that she met and later married Bernard Madrick, Jr. and added two more children to her family tree, daughters Dawn and Heather. This blended family along with extended family shared many holidays and celebrations together in Wantagh before moving to Kansas City to retire from TWA in 1992. Regardless of which season of her life, one constant was Ellen's beloved garden. This interest was a gift from her mother Hannah and Ellen took great pride in her garden. Ellen’s children and grandchildren describe her as a “force of nature” -an independent woman who put family first, a matriarch who imparted faith, a strong work ethic, resiliency and determination. She was confident at the end of life that these very things would keep her family strong and connected in the years to come.

Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, her daughter Eileen, many extended family members and her husband Barney. Ellen is survived by her children Joan Samet and husband Rob, Kevin McKenna and wife Anne, Dawn Stewart and husband Dan, and Heather Hunter and husband Jim. Ellen was a proud grandmother to 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be held, Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 10 am at St. Therese Catholic Church in Parkville, Missouri. A small reception will follow. The Mass will be livestreamed at the following link:

https://vimeo.com/event/4035561

In addition to flowers, memorial donations may be made to Ellen’s long time philanthropy, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.