Bernice M. Madigan, 115
CHESHIRE, Mass. — Bernice Marina "Aunt Bennie" Madigan, 115, of 743 North State Road, Rolling Acres Farm, died Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015 at Williamstown Commons where she has resided since August 2014.
At the time of her death, she was the oldest citizen in Massachusetts and the fifth-oldest person in the world.
Born on July 24, 1899 in West Springfield, a daughter of Harry G. and Grace E. Bennett Emerson, she attended schools in Cheshire and was a 1918 graduate of the former Adams High School.
Mrs. Madigan was last employed as an executive secretary at the U.S. Treasury in Washington, D.C., for 23 years retiring in 1941.
She was a member of Probonata Club, the Friday morning music club, a pianist group and four bridge clubs. She was a participant of Gerontology Research Group and the Boston University Gerontology Study. She was a 25-year member of the Chevy Chase (Md.) United Methodist Church and worked in its office. She also was a member of the United Methodist Church of Cheshire.
Her husband, Paul H. Madigan, whom she married Sept. 10, 1925, he died in 1976.
She leaves two nieces, Marilyn Martin and Elaine Daniels of Cheshire; a nephew, Robert Emerson of Cheshire; three grandnephews, four grandnieces, three great-grandnephews and four great-grandnieces, and many nieces and nephews on her husband's side.
She was predeceased by a sister, Muriel W. Andrews, and by a brother, Roy H. Emerson, and her grandniece Kimme Martin Hollis.
The family would like to extend a special Thank You to all of her friends and caregivers.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Funeral services for Mrs. Madigan will be held Saturday, Jan. 10, at 10 a.m. at United Methodist Church on Church Street, Cheshire. Burial will be in Maple Street Cemetery, Adams, in the spring.
Calling hours will be Friday, Jan. 9, from 4 to 7 at Dery-Cheshire Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to United Methodist Church of Cheshire, the Berkshire Union Chapel or the Cheshire Fire Department in care of the funeral home, 121 North State Road, Cheshire, MA 01225.