Maureen Mcfadden

MAUREEN MCFADDEN Click here to view Maureen's Video Tribute Click here to view Maureen's Memorial Services IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Maureen McFadden, 67, of Idaho Falls, passed away peacefully November 11, 2008, after living with breast cancer for five years. Maureen received care from her family, McFadden and O’Connor siblings, numerous friends, and Aspen Home Health Care and Hospice, to whom she was very thankful. Maureen received medical support from the oncology teams in Idaho Falls and Salt Lake City, Utah. Maureen was born May 17, 1941, in Macomb, Illinois, to John and Kathleen O’Connor. Later the family moved to Strawberry Point, Iowa where Maureen and her younger sister, Ellen, attended school. She attended Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, earning a degree in English. While at Clarke, she met James (Jim) McFadden at a school dance. The two wed in 1964. They had a son, Robert, in 1965 and a daughter, Ellen in 1969. In 1968, Jim and Maureen moved to Idaho Falls, where Jim took a research position at the national Reactor Testing Station. They became involved with many civic activities, environmental issues, politics and various community organizations. Maureen went on to get her teaching degree and Masters in Education from Idaho State University. She first taught at Emerson Elementary, then became principal at Longfellow, and later at Dora Erickson in District 91. While at Longfellow, she received the 1990 National Distinguished Principal Award of the State of Idaho. As an educator, it was her goal to make it possible for every student to succeed. She was extremely proud of the teaching staffs she worked with and the opportunities they provided to students and families. Throughout her life, Maureen loved the Arts. She served on the Idaho Commission on the Arts and had a vision to create an art museum for Idaho Falls to support this community. From this vision, the Eagle Rock Art Museum, now known as the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, was established. Both she and Jim have been active in politics. Maureen worked with the American Association of University Women and felt that women were capable and could hold positions and gain the same pay that their male counterparts could. In 2002 she ran for the Idaho House of Representatives. Although she did not win the race, she was pleased to advance a conversation about improving education for Idaho’s children. After retiring Maureen and Jim traveled to visit numerous friends and explored other countries and their culture. She took many trips with friends to see Broadway plays and operas. She and Jim also enjoyed frequent trips to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Maureen brought enthusiasm, caring and, above all, a great sense of humor to everything she did. She will be remember for her beautiful smile, generous spirit and enthusiastic laugh. She is survived by her husband, Jim, son, Robert, his wife, Lorrie, and their sons, Nick and Matt, of Portland, Oregon; daughter, Ellen, her husband, Cameron Morfit, and their daughter, Lucy, of Boise, Idaho; and Maureen’s sister, Ellen, and her husband, Larry Connolly, of Roswell, NM. Maureen also is survived by her Borland cousins living in New Mexico, whom she loved dearly. The family has established the Maureen and Jim McFadden Family Fund to support art and education in southeast Idaho. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to this fund through the Idaho Community Foundation at P.O. Box 8143, Boise, Idaho 83707 (www.idcomfdn.org) or The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, 300 So. Capital Avenue, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402. Memorial Services will he held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 13, 2008, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge, Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Friends are invited to the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho following the ceremony to celebrate Maureen. --------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Jane Freund janelfreund@gmail.com Jim and family, I am so terribly sorry to hear of Maureen's death. She was a terrific lady who touched many lives through her work in education and will most certainly be missed. Please know that you and yours remain in my prayers and thoughts in these difficult times and those to come as well. Resting in Him, Jane Dr. Gene Minner GMinner@Curtisswright.com Dear Jim and extended McFadden family, We are very sorry to hear of Maureen's passing, and we send you our sympathy. She has had a difficult struggle. May you find solace in knowing that we have always had the highest regard for her and for you as well. I, personally, have never known a more pleasant, considerate, or kind person. I will always remember the twinkle in her eye and the smile on her face whenever we met. She has been an inspiration. Wishing you the best, Diana and Gene Minner Carrie Crom carriecrom@ida.net I met Maureen when she ran for the Idaho legislature several years. I was impressed with her devotion to the community and education. If you look up the word "gracious" in the dictionary, Maureen's picture will be there. My life is richer for having known her. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Don and Sue Curet Be certain that Maureen and the McFadden family will be in our prayers. Rick Colwell and Heidi igarashi haigarashi@aol.com Our deepest condolences for the passing of your Mother. We knew her primarily through her years as a principal at Longfellow and marveled at her grace and thoughtful leadership. She was well respected and loved for her good works and kind soul. With Sympathy, Rick, Heidi, Conor, and Ian Susan Drouin sgdrouin@yahoo.com I had the pleasure of meeting Maureen as a student teacher under her direction as a university supervisor. What an amazing lady. She was always so encouraging and positive. I learned so much from her and gained tremendous self-confidence due to her love and support through my education. May you know the influence that she had in my life. My sincerest thoughts and prayers be with you through this difficult time. Her legacy will live on in many lives that neither she nor you will ever know. She has touched so many people with her love of education. May the Lord bless you!!!! Vicki Krogstrand vickik@q.com Jim and family, What a grand lady we have lost! She was a friend, a role model and a mentor to me. She fought hard and showed exemplary courage. I always enjoyed the times I spent with her. If there's anything I can do for you at this time, don't hesitate to call. Fondly, Vicki Ken Merrill smerrill001@msn.com Jim: It was sad news to hear about Maureen. My prayers and best wishes are with you and your family. Ken Deb Nowatzki and Ron Stewart We were so sorry to hear about Maureen's passing. She was such a vibrant lady who contributed so much to our schools, community, and the people around her. We just wanted to let you know you all were in our thoughts and prayers. Bob Narum robert.narum@verizon.net I was very sorry to hear of Maureen's death. She will be missed. Valerie Myers Maureen was principal at Longfellow when I attended there. She was the most caring principal I had. I distinctly remember her helping me when I cut my lip open at school. Very few principals would be willing to do that. She will truly be missed. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Maralee Cutler mjcutler@yahoo.com Ellen, I am so sorry to hear the news about your mother. My prayers and best wishes are with you and your family. Please take care! Patsy Watts Maureen was my principal at Longfellow Elementary when I returned to teaching after 11 years at home. She was wonderful to guide and assist me when I got myself into a tight situation :-) I told her I was always behind her (I crouched down behind her). You could hear her laugh through that building. Later as a Red Hat I loved her again. She made a difference in me and my teaching. I touch children daily, and Maureen is there with me. She continues through each child and every teacher that was blessed to have known her. Nancy Thorsen thorsen@srv.net Maureen's contribution to Education and the Arts has made her a legend in Idaho Falls. She will be missed by a multitude of people. Her family deserves a big thank you for sharing her time with the community. Gene and Bonnie Griffin We extend our prayers and condolences to the McFadden family. We so enjoyed living next door to Jim and Maureen for the 8 years we lived on Baltic Avenue. Maureen was always such a friendly soul. Jim take care. Gene and Bonnie Marlaine Devine marlainedevine@hotmail.com I want to send all of you my heartfelt sympathy! I was lucky enough to teach with Maureen as my principal at Dora Erickson, and have absolutely nothing but the fondest memories of that time with her! I have never worked harder or laughed harder than during those years with her and will always hold that time in my career very near to my heart! I will not see you at her memorial as I will be in New York with my best friend - and I will be thinking of how very much Maureen loved that city! The very best to all of you - Marlaine Devine Joshua Yurman jyurman@gmail.com Maureen will be missed. I had the privilege to be a student at Longfellow while she was principal there. I saw and spoke with her many times. She left a wonderful lasting impression on me as a wonderful and exceptional principal that cares deeply for the children . ~G-d Speed