Madelyn Irene Linehan

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Madelyn Irene Linehan, 95, of Warwick, was born in Providence on February 13, 1922 and died at Kent Hospital on Tuesday, December 12, 2017.

Madelyn was the first daughter of the late Willian Linehan and Anna (Walsh) Linehan. “Auntie Mal” was a special daughter, sister and aunt to all the children and great-grandchildren. Always unselfish and caring, she was instrumental in helping those in need, be it emotional (i.e., babysitting, financial or in sickness). Mal was constantly knitting or crocheting items for the growing brood of grandchildren. Sometimes her goods went unnoticed, as she was a very humble human being. Mal always enjoyed the role of big sister as she guided all of us through the growing years. Mal was a great dancer and was a popular partner at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, where she had many friends and taught my brother’s friends how to dance. In later years (at the age of 41) she enrolled at RI Hospital, LPN Course, where she excelled in her studies. Mal worked at Kent Hospital in Warwick until her retirement. Never one to be idle, she and her best friend, Shirley Waterman, both enjoyed nursing at Kent County. Upon retirement, they both worked for the Warwick School Department as school bus monitors for another ten years. Shirley Waterman and Mal had been friends since sixteen years of age. In their younger years they enjoyed horseback riding, traveling, playing cards and helping the unfortunate. They were great friends until Shirley passed away in September, 2012. Greatly missed!

She was predeceased by her five sisters: Helen Walsh, Anna Bonner (Henry), Marguerite Peloso (Robert), Evelyn Rachko (Joseph); and two brothers: William P. Linehan (Frances) and Raymond E. Linehan (Frances). Madelyn is survived by Mrs. Claire F. Pagliaro (the late Christopher) and many nieces, nephews and their families.

Broadway had its “Auntie Mame,” we had our “Auntie Mal.”

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Monday, December 18, 2017 from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. in the Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick. www.murphyfuneralhomes.org