Madeleine "Madman" Rebekah Verges

For more than two decades, Madeleine endured the degenerative impact of a rare neurological disorder, never once surrendering the abundant joy of life. She simply decided to prioritize joy instead of acquiescing to grief.

Over the course of many years, she lost her ability to walk, see clearly, think clearly, talk, feed herself, or even swallow. She never lost her ability to smile—and smile she did—through it all, nearly every day, in reaction to a favorite song, a cat in her lap, the sunshine on her face, or the sound of the voice of someone she loved. She smiled on her last day, went to sleep, and did not wake up.

Madeleine was born on December 8, 1993. She has an older brother named Jackson Taylor Verges, who could not pronounce "Madeleine" and instead called his baby sister "MADMAN." It stuck, and it characterized her never-say-quit and I'll-try-anything personality to a T. She has three younger sisters: twins Esther Jane Verges and Grace Kanaly Johnson (married to Matthew Aaron Johnson), and her youngest sister, Vivienne Sarah Verges.

Madeleine’s siblings had the unique privilege of experiencing her as both a typical sister-an annoying little sister, a big sister to look up to, and a co-conspirator-as well as a sister who needed compassion, an actual helping hand, and patience. Madeleine received the care she needed from her siblings in exchange for bestowing upon them an enhanced appreciation of, and sensitivity to, the human condition. Together, they make the world a little brighter.

Thanks to the commitment and love demonstrated by faculty and administration of the Shelton School, Madeleine graduated from high school in 2013. She came to the stage in a wheelchair and with the assistance of her father, she walked across the stage to receive her diploma.

Madeleine’s grandparents, David and Susan Fixler, were ever-present in Madeleine’s all-too-short life. Having a doctor for a grandfather when you’re medically compromised is invaluable, and having a Bubbe who purees all your food when you can no longer chew is altogether another level of love and devotion-not to mention the tangible and emotional support David and Susan provided Madeleine’s mom and dad, which made caring for Madeleine and raising her siblings at the same time, even remotely possible.

Philip and Heidi Verges always knew what was in store for their daughter Madeleine, but they never believed it. June 8, 2026, arrived as a surprise. Madeleine’s birth in Royal Oak, Michigan on December 8, 1993, seems like yesterday to Philip and Heidi. After 32 years living with Madeleine at home, they find their house now seems cavernously empty, accentuated by a painful hole in each of their hearts. While mourning their loss, Philip and Heidi are immensely grateful to Madeleine for bringing them closer to God. Madeleine’s enduring joy through an unimaginable trial on earth serves as an unassailable testimony to faith in the redemption and eternal life Jesus came to teach.

The Verges and Fixler family will be celebrating Madeleine’s life this Friday and Saturday, June 12-13, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. All friends and family are invited. There will be multiple traditional events with a very MADMAN specific accent-Think Pink! Attend any one event you can make or feel free to go full MADMAN and not miss a single one. Details of each day can be found below.