Madalon Holycross

Madalon LAING Holycross, 92, of Danville, passed away at 7:45 p.m. Friday, March 9, 2007 at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center in Danville. Madalon was born on September 1, 1914 in Conrad, Montana, the daughter of Pius and Grace (Urich) Laing. She married Louis Holycross on March 19, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois. Louis preceded her in death on June 5, 1990. She is survived by two sons- Dr. Orville (Irma Jean) Holycross of Chesterfield, Missouri and Michael (Rose) Holycross of Danville; one daughter- Louise (Lyle) Wright of Danville; eight grandchildren- Robin (Ryan) Christie of Noblesville, Indiana, Chad (Jodi) Wright of Danville, Benjamin Louis Holycross of Chesterfield, Missouri, Rachel (Rob) Bourgeois of Fenton, Missouri, Jacob Laing Holycross, Joseph Holycross, & Sarah Holycross all of Chesterfield, Missouri, and Clayton James (Meaghan Connell) Holycross of Dunedin, Florida; three great-grandchildren- Grant Joseph Christie, Madelyn Grace Christie, and Sophia Jane Christie all of Nobelsville, Indiana; two cousins- Jim (Bev) Laing and Virgil Laing both of Loveland, Colorado; several nieces and nephews; one life long friend- Jeanette Knecht of Dekalb, Illinois. Madalon was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one brother- Milton (Jen) Laing. Madalon graduated from high school, in Peever, South Dakota. After high school she attended the University of Chicago, where she graduated in 1935 with a degree in economics. Madalon worked for District #118 for 22 years, teaching 5th and 6th grade at Garfield School until she retired in 1974. She received the Award for Educational Excellence from the State of Illinois in 1974. Madalon was a member of the Bismarck United Methodist Church for nearly 60 years, where she taught Sunday School, Bible School, and often played the piano. She was a member of the United Methodist Women, Bismarck Womens Club and a past member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Madalon was also a very artistic person. She loved reading, writing, painting, drawing, needle work, listening to classical and piano music, making crafts, and giving many of her gifts of love to others. Madalon was a very selfless person. She always thought about other people and never herself. She was a wonderful Mother and example to anyone who knew and loved her. Madalon endured a very courageous fight for 27 years with Parkinsons. The family would like to thank the many special guardian angels who helped care for her, and especially the devotion of Patti Miller & Lyle Holycross these past years. A Celebration of the Life of Madalon Laing Holycross will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at Bismarck United Methodist Church, with Pastor Keith Michaels officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 " 7:00 p.m. Monday at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 3940 N. Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois 61834. Visitation will also be held at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 " 11:00 a.m. Burial will be held at Gundy Cemetery in Bismarck. Memorials may be made to the United Parkinsons Foundation or to the Bismarck United Methodist Church. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.