Irene I. (MacIntosh) Madden

Irene Iva (MacIntosh) Madden, 93, of Binghamton, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday April 28, 2022 at Lourdes Hospital. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 51 years John E. Madden in 2005. 

Born to John and Maude MacIntosh of Doraville, NY on June 16, 1928, Irene was the youngest daughter of their eight children. She was predeceased by her parents and seven siblings, Ervin MacIntosh, Alberta (Nick) Duryea, Leona (Bill) Phelps, Pauline (Willard) Robinson, Doris (Fred) Weber, Marjorie (Don) Armstrong, and Rev Roy J. MacIntosh.

She is survived by her children: Kathleen (Joseph) Galloway, their two children Erin and Sean Galloway; John F. Madden and his daughter Jessica (Toby) Harris as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.        

Irene began working at the Binghamton Public Library while attending Binghamton Central High School. After graduation she joined New York Telephone Co. as a telephone operator in both Binghamton and White Plains, NY. Upon the birth of Kathleen she became a full time homemaker who devoted herself to family and her love of gardening; there was always something blooming in her yard amongst the birdhouses.   She was instrumental in maintaining the Madden family homestead in Smithboro where she spent many summers with friends and family. She lived life by the adage “where there’s a will, there’s a way”.

She gave of herself to the community as well, sending cards to homebound parishioners from St. Paul’s Church and volunteering in various organizations such as the Catholic Charities Food Pantry and the Southern Tier Aids Program.

Together Irene and John were able to travel to Ireland, take a cross-country train trip on the Canadian Railway, cruise to Alaska, cruise through the Panama Canal, and visit Hawaii. They also enjoyed many trips with dear friends Bill, Mary Ellen, Shirley, and Duane. Trips organized by friends Bill and Annie Parker were among their favorites. 

In her later years, special to her were weekly visits from niece Karen West and calls with niece Gail Margaritis and nephew Fred Weber. In good weather she could often be found on the deck or porch with sister-in-law Mary Kelly enjoying the sunshine and birdwatching.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 9:30am at St. Paul’s Church at 282 Chenango St., Binghamton, followed by a gathering in the Church basement. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Harpursville, NY. Friends are invited to call Thursday from 4 to 6pm at Thomas J. Shea Funeral Home, Inc., 137 Robinson St., Binghamton. Those wishing may consider contributions in her memory to The Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference in Binghamton.

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