Madeline Rita Bailly
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Madeline Rita (Noble) Bailly died peacefully at home on August 5th with family by her side. She was born in Northampton on December 20, 1919, to John and Phoebe Noble. She was married in 1940 to Francis Bailly. Soon afterwards they moved to their home on Lake St in Florence where they raised their four children. Madeline continued to live there for almost 80 years.
Madeline was a homemaker for many years and later worked at Multi-Color Corp in Hatfield joining her husband in retirement when she was 63.
Madeline's life was full of love for simple pleasures. She never traveled far but was convinced that there was no place more beautiful than New England. She took great pride in her home where she tended to her many flower gardens. Her idea of a perfect summer day always included a trip to a garden center to see what she could add to her perennial beds. She enjoyed warm days on her screened porch reading and knitting afghans with a cat or two next to her and a dog at her feet.
During her lifetime on Lake St, she was blessed with the friendship of good neighbors who enjoyed chatting with her on the front lawn and watched over her in her later years.
Madeline loved "all creatures great and small" and shared her life with many dogs, cats and "grand dogs". When she retired, she got her first cocker spaniel, Molly. It was then that she and her husband started daily walks at Look Park, a ritual she continued after his passing. She made many "Park" friends during that time and reflected that those were some of the happiest years of her life.
Madeline always had a book nearby and made weekly visits to Lilly Library. There she enjoyed looking for the latest murder mystery and talking to the library staff. She once remarked that she did not know if there was anyone else who took more pleasure in going to the library and leaving with a good book.
As a child during the Great Depression life was not easy for Madeline and her siblings but she learned to take one day at a time and carried that attitude throughout her life. She was grateful for each day and never complained, not even about the weather. She was quick to strike up a conversation and made new friends wherever she went and will be remembered as a sweet and caring person.
Madeline will be especially missed by her children and grandchildren. She loved them deeply and was proud of all their achievements.
Madeline is predeceased by her husband, Francis and brother, William Noble. She is survived by her sister Doris Lizotte of Silver Spring, MD and her four children, Dennis Bailly of Orlando, FL, Diane Molitoris and her husband Frank of Westminster, CO, Jean Stevens and her husband George of Easthampton and Cheryl Brooks and Michael Long of Williamsburg. She also leaves her grandchildren, Stephen Molitoris of West Grove, PA, Mark Molitoris of Cottage Grove, MN, Peter Molitoris of Erie, CO, Rachel Epstein of Northampton and Jody and Jill LaVersa of Easthampton, 8 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson.
Her family would like to thank everyone who helped care for Madeline during the past year. Special thanks to Teri from CDH VNA and Hospice, MaryEllen Prince, Debbie Curti, Kathy Sherman and dear friend, Jeanne Kowalewski.
A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 14th at 9:30am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 99 King St (Please meet directly at church) with Rites of Committal and burial to follow in St Mary Cemetery, 235 N. Elm St., both in Northampton. FACE COVERINGS WILL BE REQUIRED.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 13th from 4-7pm at the Ahearn Funeral Home, 783 Bridge Rd., also in Northampton
In lieu of flowers, please remember Madeline through a donation to the Friends of Lilly Library, 19 Meadow St. Florence, MA 01062.
Ahearn Funeral Home
(413)587-0044