Madelyn Stearns

MADELYN MARY (WYATT) STEARNS

Madelyn Mary (Wyatt) Stearns, age 85, of Winona, passed away on Monday, October 26, 2015, at St. Anne Extended Healthcare in Winona.

Madelyn was born to Charles H. and Ida (Ramskiewicz) Wyatt in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She was baptized, confirmed, grew up, and eventually worked in the suburbs of Boston. She spent her life working, traveling and being an aunt.

On one of her trips to Minnesota she met the love of her life, William Stearns. They were joined in matrimony on December 27, 1971, in Goodview, MN. Together they worked at Fiberite (Cy-tech), lived in Winona, and traveled the United States. Each of them had many special nephews and nieces, but did not have any children of their own. Upon retiring from Fiberite, they moved to California, where Madelyn's dad lived. Madelyn was not done working, and got a job working at a local library near where she lived. She did security work which was different from her many factory jobs. She loved books and over the years frequented many libraries, so this was a perfect fit.

Together, Madelyn, Bill and Charlie (Madelyn's dad), moved one more time, ending up in Harrison, Arkansas, and it was there that the two men in her life ended their journey with her. In 1995, she found herself alone, her father and husband both gone, and in a strange part of the country with no family, so she decided to move back to Winona to be with her sister Shirley and her family. Returning to Winona began a new chapter in her life, as great-aunt. Her days were filled with books, movies (old and new), politics, spending time with her family and friends, and taking care of the next generation.

She was able to take two road trips with her nephew Darrell and his family, one to Florida, and one to Las Vegas. She enjoyed traveling and it didn't matter whether it was to La Crosse or further, or whether there were three children along. She liked the adventure that life had to offer.

For the past couple of years, Madelyn lived every woman's fantasy - she didn't have to cook, clean, wash clothes, do dishes, or worry about the bills. She was waited on hand and foot at St. Anne's of Winona, where she enjoyed playing games, having her hair and nails done, going on outings and making new friends. She always had a smile and laughed at our stories. She especially enjoyed visits from her great-great-nephew, Alistair, and together they liked to watch the birds, and he called her “Antie Madowin.”

In the early morning hours of October 26, 2015, she made her final trip to heaven. She touched us all and will be dearly missed by all who came to know her. We have all lost someone special.

Madelyn is survived by her brothers: Robert (Peggy) Wyatt, James (Leslie) Wyatt, Norman (Marie) Wyatt, all who live on the east coast; brother-in-law, Robert Paszkiewicz, Winona; close nephews and nieces: Darrell (Mary Jo) Mayer; Cheryl (Dave) Knight; Teresa Paszkiewicz; and Mark (Cassie) Paszkiewicz; great-nephews and great- nieces: Chris Mayer; Kat Thoeny; Joanna, Mitchell and Michael Mayer; Olivia and Holly Paszkiewicz; and Morgan and Sawyer; all in the Winona area; great-great- nephew, Alistair Mayer; as well as many other nieces and nephews throughout the United States.

Welcoming her to Heaven are her parents: Charles H. and Ida Wyatt; husband, Bill Stearns; sisters: Shirley Paszkiewicz and Elaine Wyatt; brother: Charles Wyatt; and sister-in-law Dotty Wyatt; nieces: Sharon Paszkiewicz, Donna Wyatt Shah, and Michelle Hathaway; and her step-mother Mary Wyatt.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 12:30 PM on Friday, October 30, 2015, at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka.  The Reverend Monsignor Thomas J. Hargesheimer will officiate.

Madelyn will be laid to rest at St. Felix Cemetery in Wabasha, MN, beside her beloved Bill.

Visitation will be held at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka on Friday, October 30, 2015, from 11:30 AM until the time of the Mass.  A luncheon and reception will be held at the church following the Mass.

Pallbearers will be: Darrell Mayer, Joanna Mayer, Mitchell Mayer, Michael Mayer, Chris Mayer, and Robert Paszkiewicz.  Honorary Pallbearers will be: Alistair, Olivia, Holly and Kat.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Madelyn’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com .