Mary Madden

Viewing

Wednesday, January 7, 2025| Time: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Howell Celebrating Lives Chapel |4510 Liberty Heights Avenue| Baltimore, Maryland 21207

Service

Thursday, January 8, 2025 |Wake: 10:30 a.m. |Service Time: 11:00 a.m.

Mt Moriah Baptist Church| 2201 Garrison Blvd| Baltimore, Maryland 21216

Interment

Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery|11501 Garrison Forest Road| Owings Mills, MD 21117

Time: 2:30 p.m.

Obituary

Mary Emma Madden was born on June 26, 1938, to the late Annie Laura Harris and Ed Newby. On December 22, 2025, she transitioned peacefully into the arms of our Lord, having lived a life defined by faith, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to family.

Mary was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System and was a proud graduate of Frederick Douglass High School. From an early age, she demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility and compassion for others, qualities that would guide her throughout her life.

Mary was briefly married to Harry Blake and had two daughters Harriet and Dale. Later she met Donald Madden, fell in love, and in 1977 they were united in marriage. Together they built a life rooted in stability, faith, and togetherness. With their two daughters, Harriet and Dale, they created a home where family was always first. Their children were raised to know God not only through His Word or church attendance, but through the way Mary embodied His grace, peace, and mercy in her everyday walk.

Mary worked at the University of Maryland for several years, but her true calling was always caring for others. She retired from her career to care for her father and later devoted herself fully to caring for her mother. In the late 1980s, she opened her own daycare business, where she nurtured countless children. When her husband’s health declined, Mary found herself caregiving once again. She cared for Donald faithfully and selflessly until his final day in 2009.

Although she stopped accepting daycare children in the late 1990s, her commitment to caring for others never ended. From 2009 through 2018, she lovingly cared for her great great grandchildren, trusting no one else with the babies she held so dear.

Mary was a woman of many names: Mommy, Grandma, Aunt Mary, and Miss Mary. She was respected by all and never met a stranger. She had a rare ability to make people feel seen, valued, and worthy of care. She welcomed others openly and made it clear that once you were in her life, you were family. Her spirit was genuine and steady. She spoke with honesty, wisdom, and humor, often offering motivational words and sometimes unintentionally funny remarks. She told it like it was, always without malice. Mary created countless cherished memories with her grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins, filling their lives with laughter, guidance, and reassurance. Above all, they will remember that she was always present, dependable, and there when it mattered most.

Mary never owned a cell phone. She would often say that if something happened, she would call Jesus. Fiercely independent, she drove herself everywhere until the age of 80, when her grandchildren finally had to take over. She did not allow anything or anyone to stop her from doing or getting what she set her mind to. If you were not on time to pick her up to vote, you could find her walking to MLK Elementary School, no cell phone, no hesitation, and no excuses.

A God fearing woman and devoted prayer warrior, Mary was a faithful member and dedicated senior usher of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. Her faith guided her daily life and shaped how she treated others. She cherished time spent with her family and left behind many lessons and sayings that will live on for generations. One of her most well known reminders was, “You better close my door, I’m not heating up Shirley Avenue.”

Mary lived a full and meaningful life. She traveled where she desired, stood firm in her independence, and departed this life peacefully at home, just as she wished.

She leaves to cherish her memories her sister Martha Scott, her devoted daughters Harriet Blake and Dale Downing, her grandchildren Mary Blake Adams and her husband Robert Adams and Teoin Blake, her great grandchildren Nashawntae, Jameka, Jamera, Talia, Teoin Jr., Roman, Tytiana, and Braylen , her great great grandchildren Charles Jr., Courde’, Joey Jr., Ty’Mira, and Rashad, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and dear friends.

Mary Emma Madden leaves behind a legacy of faith, resilience, care, and unwavering presence that will continue to guide all who were blessed to know her. Those who proceeded her in death are her sister Helen A. Richardson, brother John T. Morse and her great great granddaughter Rykelle Shamir Reid.