Madeline Plansky

Madeline C. Plansky, 86, died Tuesday July 1st, surrounded by her family, both near and far, after a short illness. Madeline leaves behind dozens of loved ones throughout her matriarchy. She is survived by her sons Bernard, John, Mark, Michael and Paul, her daughters Mary and Lisa, and her children by marriage, Catherine, Lisa, Melanie, Michael and Briana. Madeline is loved and missed by 16 grandchildren and her first great grandchild, whom she held for the first time in May.

Madeline is preceded in death by her parents William and Constance Collins, her brother Jackie, and the love of her life, her husband, Bernard L. Plansky.

Born in Boston on July 25, 1938, she was the eldest of seven children. She was both the “always right” big sister to the older siblings, and the “always right” mother figure to the youngest. When asked at a young age what she wanted to be when she grew up, she replied simply, “A mother.” As Madeline told the story, “Everyone laughed, so I decided to be a teacher.” When Madeline decided to do something, she did it well. Fiercely intelligent, Madeline graduated at the top of her class and delivered the valedictory address to her graduating class at Arlington High School in 1955. She earned a scholarship to Boston College, and entered as a member of the first co-ed class in the school. True to form, Madeline graduated first in her class in the School of Education, and was chosen to receive the diploma for the school during her graduation ceremony in 1959.

While at Boston College, Madeline met her one true love, Bernie, at an Irish ceilidh. While Madeline was teaching first grade in the Woburn public school system, Bernie proposed, and they were married on December 29, 1962, where several of her students were in attendance. Over the next ten years, a move to Wakefield and seven children followed, as Madeline pursued her true calling - to be a mother.

Her capacity for love, generosity, honesty and hard work was boundless. Madeline served on the PTA, acted as room mother seven times over, taught CCD, and created a gifted and talented program for the Wakefield elementary schools. She somehow found a way to support all of her children in their academic, athletic and artistic endeavors and successes as they happened. Madeline’s version of motherhood was to give everything she had to her children, all her wisdom, her work ethic, her honesty and her heart.

When she lost her beloved Bernie far too early at the age of 50, her life’s work evolved. She devoted herself to helping her children navigate the world without their father. She became the caregiver of her mother, Connie, shepherding her through the final years of a long life. Madeline continued to support the wide range of philanthropic causes that she and Bernie had always championed. Her generosity to Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Wakefield, as well as to cancer research and treatment, was always done quietly, by her choice, and not announced with trumpets.

Madeline spent many summers with her family on the beaches of Cape Cod, both in Eastham and Brewster. She loved a Cape Cod sunset, watching crashing ocean waves, and cookouts with her family. She traveled to Ireland with her family to celebrate her 60th birthday, hiked to the top of a mountain, and chose singing in a pub in Kenmare over waiting for her son-in-law's arrival.

As health issues began to curtail her travel, Madeline was given the gift of nieces, nephews, her grandchildren and her great grandchild. Known simply as Nana, Madeline would again be their champion at every celebration, every event, every small moment in their lives, giving "Nana hugs” and showering them with gifts, love and snacks.

Madeline was an incredible woman who could have done anything she wanted to do in this world and chose to create, love and support a family that continues to grow today. She is now reunited, at long last, with her husband Bernie.

Madeline’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Most Blessed Sacrament

Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield, on Saturday, July 12, at 11 a.m. Visitation

for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19

Yale Ave., Wakefield, on Friday July 11, from 4-7 p.m. Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery, also in Wakefield.

In remembrance of Madeline Plansky, the family welcomes donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as an offering of love and faith.