Loretta Lucille Madden

Loretta Lucille Madden, 99, passed away at her home in Olympia, Washington, just after awakening at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, October 21, 2018…just as was her wish. She was born February 11, 1919 in Center, Missouri, the youngest of 10 children of Thomas Berfred Griffin and Ida Frances Bell Griffin. A recent Washington resident, Loretta lived in Garden Grove, California, for 58 years, where she was an active member of St. Columban’s Catholic Church. She graduated from Gem City Business College (1937-1939) in Quincy, Illinois with a Stenographic Certificate, and worked as a secretary for Autonetics, Rockwell, and Boeing. Loretta married Arthur Joseph Madden on May 17, 1947 at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, D.C. She was proud that Arthur had been a U.S. Marine during World War II (January 3, 1942-January 2, 1946). He fought at Guadalcanal and was stationed at Cape Gloucester and New Guinea, and earned a Good Conduct Medal and Honorable Discharge. Professionally, he was a factory worker at Douglas Aircraft. Loretta loved spending time with her family, cooking, traveling, going to the beach, sunbathing in her backyard, and picking oranges from her prized 50-year-old tree. She had a great appreciation for the beauty of nature, and enjoyed following the space program and watching the moon landing. She was selfless and generous with her time and resources. She had a servant’s heart, a listening ear, an encouraging spirit, and a great work ethic. Her approach to life was: “It’ll all work out!” She also had a sassy sense of humor and was a snappy dresser. Loretta is survived by her son, Michael Gordon Madden of Garden Grove, California; daughters, Catherine Jane Kramer of Sumner, Washington, and Patricia Lee Madden of Olympia, Washington; eight grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Arthur Madden (January 11, 2003); her parents, Thomas and Ida Griffin; brothers, Paul Elbert Griffin, William Griffin, and David Griffin; and sisters, Margaret Hill, Elizabeth Davis, Opal Davis, Grace Schaffer, Dorothy Evans, and Mae Emma Griffin. Memorial services will be held Thursday, November 1, 2018, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home, 702 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, CA 92866. In lieu of flowers, Loretta requested that memorial donations be made to two organizations that were dear to her. 1-Loretta had a particular heart to help children needing cleft-lip surgery. She suggested memorial donations be made to Compassion International Ministry. Click here to go directly to her donation page: www.actforcompassion.com/cleft-lip-surgery-for-children 2-Her other suggestion was the Christian Broadcast Network (CBN), a worldwide ministry, which includes Orphan’s Promise. To make a donation in Loretta’s honor, click here, which will take you directly to her donation page: http://my.cbn.com/pg/causes/tribute/?tribute_id=15632226