Helena M. Madden slipped away peacefully just as the sun was rising on Palm Sunday morning, April 2, 2023.

Born January 17, 1924, in Haysville, Indiana, she was the fourth of six children welcomed into the home of Claude and Edna (Reynolds) Young.

Helena lost her father at a very young age. As a result, she and two of her sisters were residents of Thornton's Orphan Home in Petersburg for a time.

Thankfully, her stay was brief as she was adopted into the loving home of Charles Byford and Annie (Glenn) Strange sometime after her eighth birthday. She graduated from Plainville High School in 1942 and immediately entered the work force. She spent the bulk of her working career employed by Production Credit Association in Washington.

On July 3, 1948, she married Bernard J. Madden. Together they raised six children.

Her husband and three of her children, J. Christopher Madden, Reverend Michael T. Madden and Kathleen Burns preceded her in death. She is survived by three of her children, Rebecca A. (Roy) Anderson of Huntley, Illinois, Dennis B. (Janice) Madden of Bloomington, and James P. Madden of Valparaiso. She also leaves six granddaughters, a grandson and four great- grandchildren.

She was a devout Catholic, a member of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Washington. She was active in St. Vincent DePaul and the Daughters of Isabella until her advanced age substantially reduced her activity. She was a remarkable woman. Her children recognize they were blessed with such a wonderful mother. They are grateful for that blessing.

Visitation for Helena Madden will be 4:00-8:00 pm, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at the Ed L. Lee Mortuary, 620 East Viola Avenue, Washington, Indiana. The Daughters of Isabella will say the Rosary at 4:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at 1:00 PM at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Washington, Indiana, with Father Paul Ferguson assisted by Yvonne Evans. Burial will follow in the St. John Cemetery in Washington.

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