Madalynne Coleman Wardlow

November 3, 1923 - January 15, 2024

Our wonderful mother, Madalynne, passed away peacefully. We are grateful her passing was without pain or fear. 

Mom was born on a small ranch in Paso Robles, California in 1923. Her sister, Barbara, was born in 1925. Her parents, Roy and Bessie Coleman, worked the farm for five years, but eventually traded the ranch for a house in Los Angeles. They lived in Alhambra and Pasadena before moving to South Pasadena in 1933, "for the schools". Her father was killed in a vehicle accident in 1937, and his widow was left with two daughters to raise. Mom went through South Pasadena Junior High and South Pasadena - San Marino High School, graduating in 1941.

Mom had a wide circle of friends, some of whom she kept in touch with over the years. One night, these friends were at the USO in Los Angeles where she met a tall, handsome sailor named Ed. They hit it off, and began writing to each other. Ed proposed in one of his letters; she accepted, and they were married in 1945.

After returning from the war, my dad went to San Jose State on the GI Bill. While there, they had three children; David, born in 1946, Michael, born in 1950, and Connie, born in 1951. It was a struggle. Dad worked part time as a night security guard in the Del Monte canning facility while mom took care of the children while living in student housing. Dad graduated with a teaching degree and looked for work in the area. Finding none, they moved back to South Pasadena into the house on Windsor Place in which mom was raised.

Mom stayed home most of our childhood years, but eventually started working at the front desk at the local South Pasadena/San Marino YMCA. She loved this job. Dad became a teacher, and then Principal, at Roosevelt School in San Gabriel. He suggested mom get a job at a school so they would have the same vacation time. Subsequently, she worked as Office Manager at two Pasadena schools which she also enjoyed. Throughout the years, I was fortunate to be along for the ride with them on many road trips.

Almost from its inception, mom was involved with the South Pasadena Alumni Association, presiding as Secretary for several years. She even baked those delicious chocolate chip cookies enjoyed by grads who attended the annual All Class Picnics in Garfield Park every June.

Mom enjoyed playing bridge at the Senior Center. For over twenty years, mom and I actively participated in the Footloose Walking Group, and even hosted walks throughout the Pasadena area. We traveled extensively together to Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, South America, the UK, and even Russia. Some of these trips were international walking tours.

My mom was our matriarch; the center of our family. She knew EVERYBODY'S birthdays, phone numbers, and even could recount most of the meals she ate when dining out. One of the secrets to her long life was to eat two servings of vegetables (green and orange) plus fruit every day. Mom was social, generous, loving, diligent, strong willed, and intelligent. She will be sorely missed by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Connie Wardlow, Class of 1969