Madeline Geffen

HOLLYWOOD, FL -- Madeline (Porter) Geffen of Hollywood FL (formerly of Hallandale FL and NY) passed away on December 26, 2015. She was born on February14, 1916 to Minnie (Lebowitz) and Aaron Porter of NY. She was the widow of Joseph Geffen.

Throughout the years, Madeline was a happy, upbeat woman known for her sense of humor and her ability to make people laugh. "Are those pills really medication, or birth control pills?" Known for taking care of herself (all those vitamins) and taking pride in her appearance, she seldom went out without wearing lipstick because "you never know who you're going to run into".

Madeline was an extremely caring person towards family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers. She was very empathetic towards people, valued equality for everyone, and did what she could to help through charities and clothing donations. She also supported animal-related and environmental causes.

Madeline read newspapers and listened to the news. So her thoughts and attitudes were current. She loved this country and was proud to be an American.

As a talented writer, she wrote dozens of poems in which she expressed her thoughts. Madeline also had an acting career. Starting as an "extra" she landed a speaking part in the movie "Taking Off" and in multiple TV commercials.

Madeline shared a loving marriage of 40+ years to her husband Joseph Geffen, who predeceased her. Together they created a very happy fulfilling life that took them from New York to Florida and sometimes to exciting vacation spots. Madeline continually showed her love towards her daughter Gale Ross and always did whatever possible to be supportive and enhance her life, which sometimes required having "attitudes that changed with the times". Madeline had a very loving relationship with her sister Sylvia Ziskin who predeceased her and who she missed dearly. Madeline always spoke about her wonderful nephew Robert Ziskin and his wife Joan Ziskin who were very special to her, her grandniece Stacey Ziskin and her husband Andrew, her grandnephew Richard Ziskin and his wife Suzanne, and their two children Jack and Annabel.

Special thanks to the staff at Five Star Premiere Residences of Hollywood for their compassion and wonderful care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Madeline’s memory may be made to Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th floor, New York NY 10001

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at Lakeside Memorial Park, 10301 N.W. 25th Street, Miami FL. (305) 592- 0690.

Arrangements under the direction of Lakeside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Miami, FL.