Carolyn Martin Madden

The family matriarch and youngest of eight children, Carolyn M. Madden 90, a former longtime resident of Rindge, NH and East Swanzey, NH, passed away peacefully with her children at her side, on Friday evening, January 26, 2018 at the Keene Center Genesis Eldercare, Court Street, Keene, NH

Her parents, Clifford W. and Myrtie A. (Carpenter) Martin, proudly welcome their daughter into the world on September 21, 1927 in Keene, NH. She grew up in Keene and was a 1945 graduate of Keene High School.

Carolyn’s life centered on her family and providing a loving home for her three children and her husband. Early in her work career, she worked in banking at several area banks. She later helped her husband, Edgar, run a successful business in Rindge, NH, Madden’s Marina, on Lake Monomonac from 1966 through the mid 1970’s. When the decision was made to sell the business, they returned to East Swanzey, and Carolyn returned to work in area banks.

She was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Swanzey, and was also a Sunday school teacher at the church.

While her girls were growing up, Carolyn was a brownie leader for her girls’ scout troop. She liked to sew, knit, crochet and play the organ. Carolyn also enjoyed a good game of cribbage as well as doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She and her husband enjoyed participating in a mixed couples bowling league as well.

Carolyn and her husband, Edgar, enjoyed camping in their motorhome, traveling to many places throughout the United States. They were members of the New England Family Campers Association, Holiday Rambler Club, and the Family Motor Coach Association.

She will be remembered for her quick wit, and the love of her family, especially the special memories she shared with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She will be greatly missed by many friends and family, especially her three children, Michael Madden and his partner, Judy Roberts, Karen Rider and her husband, John, of East Swanzey, Kathryn Merrill and her husband, Douglas, of Turner, ME; her grandchildren, Nathan Madden of Swanzey, Julie (Madden) Cox of Williamstown, VT, Kyle Rider of Keene, Jeremy Rider of East Swanzey, Matthew Rider of Windham, ME, Melissa (Merrill) Dumont, of Lewiston, ME, Joshua Merrill of Longmont, CO; her great-grandchildren, Alyson Tennant, Camden Dumont, Lucy Dumont, Declan Rider, Delaney Rider; her former daughter-in-law, Sandi Madden; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 40 years, Edgar J. Madden, in 1987; her brother, Foster W. Martin; and her six sisters, Phyllis Betts, Charlotte Black, Marion Martin, Eleanor Wheelock, Alice Simonds and Rachel Gumbert.

A memorial and celebration of Carolyn’s life will be held in the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, Swanzey, at a date and time to be announced. Burial beside her husband, Edgar, will be in the spring, in the Mountain View Cemetery, Swanzey.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made in Mrs. Madden’s memory to the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, PO Box 10041, Swanzey, NH 03446; or to the Resident Activity Fund at the Keene Center Genesis Eldercare, 677 Court Street, Keene, NH 03431; or to Compassus, Hospice & Palliative Care, 170 South River Road, Suite 2, Bedford, NH 03110.