M. Jeanne Madigan

M. Jeanne Madigan Obituary

Marie Jeanne Madigan, age 90, passed away at Carol Woods Retirement Community, Chapel Hill NC after a brief illness. Born February 21,1934, she was raised by loving parents Marie V. and Joseph N. Madigan in St Paul MN. Although an only child, Jeanne enjoyed close relationships with her extended family of aunts, uncles, and many cousins, celebrating holidays, taking trips and vacations. Some of these cousins and their children were especially cherished after her parents' deaths and became her family. She also went through elementary, high school and college with close friends who forged life-long friendships, and she regularly returned to Minnesota for reunions.

Jeanne graduated with a B.S. in Occupational Therapy (O.T.) and Sociology from St. Catherine University in1956, which led to a long career dedicated to helping others, first providing therapy to children, soon mentoring O.T. students in clinical settings, then teaching and administration in academia. She continued her education: M.A. from the University of Southern California ('72) and Ed.D. from Loyola University, Chicago ('82).

Her first position was working with medically indigent children in Corpus Christi TX, followed by clinical fieldwork for O.T. students at Texas Womens University, and became an education representative to the Commission on Education the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). 

Jeanne moved on to the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago (U of I) including head of Pediatric O.T., Community Coordinator, and Curriculum Coordinator. In 1974 she became part of the U of I School of Medicine AEHC Test Development Team and Adjunct Associate Professor in the School's Center for Educational Development.

In 1984 Jeanne became Professor and Chair of the Department of O.T., School of Allied Health, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, Virginia. While at both universities she served on numerous committees, task forces, and assumed increasing governance responsibilities on state and national levels. As consultant and evaluator of licensure/certification for Illinois, Virginia, and AOTA Certification boards, in1979 Jeanne became a Fellow of AOTA.

Upon retiring in 1996, Jeanne moved to Lexington KY where she threw herself into volunteering and many leisure pursuits: rock gardening, playing bridge, learning handicrafts and traveling. She moved to Carol Woods in 2003. She was instrumental in founding The Companion Corps, serving as its chair and continuing for many years assisting fellow residents. Jeanne served on the Residents Council twice, was director of publicity for the Festival Committee, and editor of the Friday Memo for many years. Playing bridge was a favorite pastime, but photography became a special interest and she enjoyed making photo books of travels and special events. She was active in parishes where she lived, recently as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Thomas More Catholic Community. 

The funeral mass is scheduled for Tuesday March 18th, 2025 at 10:30AM at St. Thomas More Church. A reception to celebrate Jeanne's life will be held the same day from 2 to 4PM in the Carol Woods Social Lounge. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carol Woods Charitable Fund. Internment will be at Calvary Cemetery in St. Paul MN on May 18, 2025 at 2PM.

Jeanne lived a rich, full life with family and friends.