Burden, Madonna

BURDEN, MORONEY, MCGRAW, PLAMONDON, CRANEY, LEONARD, BURNS, ABEL

Posted By: carol (email)
Date: 9/15/2005 at 11:19:02

Longtime Clinton resident, Madonna Burden, died on Sunday, March 20, 2005, at Bickford Cottage. She was born September 7, 1924, in Independence, Iowa, to Joseph Charles Moroney and Agnes Elizabeth McGraw Moroney. She graduated from St. John's High School in Independence in the spring of 1941, and entered nurses' training at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Clinton the fall of 1942. Following her graduation from nurses' training in 1945 she enlisted in the Cadet Corps and was stationed at the Naval Hospital in San Diego, Calif. Upon the dissolution of the Cadet Corps, she returned home to serve patients at the Peoples' Hospital in Independence, and shortly thereafter was recruited to E.I. duPont to serve as an occupational health nurse at the company's Clinton manufacturing facility.
She met Paul Burden of Albany, Ill., at the Saddle Club in Cordova, Ill., where he worked. They were married at St. John's Church in Independence on October 2, 1948. In the ensuing years as she and Paul started a family, she continued her education at Clinton Community College. She never tired in her pursuit of enlightenment.
In the late 1980s, Madonna, as she was known to all, found great satisfaction through her service to the young people of Clinton in the local school district at Henry Sabin School. She was a member of the library staff and served as an inspired, caring assistant to classroom instructors and staff of the school.
A highlight of her athletic interests occurred when she scored a hole-in-one at the Fulton Country Club in 1992, which was a source of joy for all those who knew her light-hearted approach to the game.
Madonna was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church for over 50 years and maintained her commitment to the Church throughout her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her sisters, Generose Moroney Plamondon of Dubuque and Rita Moroney Craney of Independence. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Paul Burden, of Clinton. She is also survived by her children, Susan Burden Leonard and her husband, Richard Burden Leonard, of Windsor Heights, Iowa, Joseph R. Burden and his wife, Melinda Tate Burden, of Lake Bluff, Ill., Mark L. Burden and his wife, Maura Howerdd Burden, of Atlanta, Ga., and Terrance M. Burden, of Cardiff, Calif. Her sisters, Mary Maxine Moroney Burns, of Waterloo, Iowa, and Lorraine Moroney Abel, of Glendora, Calif., also survive. She is survived by her seven adoring grandchildren, Brendan Burden Leonard, of Wausau, Wis., Elizabeth Tate Burden, of Lake Bluff, Ill., Conor Burden Leonard, of Minneapolis, Minn., Anna Moroney Burden, of Evanston, Ill., Casey Colleen Burden, of Champaign, Ill., Quinton Howerdd Burden, of Atlanta, Ga., and Owen Armstrong Burden, of Atlanta, Ga.
Madonna enjoyed living at Bickford Cottage for the last four years of her life. Her family gratefully acknowledges the tender support and care provided to her by the staff there, as well as by the professional staff members of Genesis Hospice.
No one can replace the vivacity Madonna brought to our lives, but we carry her energy and love of life with us on all our journeys. There is no recompense for the loss of her from our lives. We love you and miss you, Madonna.
A memorial visitation will be 5-7 p.m. today at Lemke Funeral Home South in Clinton, with a vigil service to be held at 5 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the same location on Thursday, March 24, at 11 a.m. with burial at Clinton Lawn Cemetery. A reception for family and friends will follow the services.