Madeleine Jeanette Fabert

88, passed away peacefully with her family at her bedside on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at Martha and Mary Health Services in Poulsbo, Washington after suffering a series of debilitating strokes.Madeleine was born in St. Louis, Missouri on June 20, 1919, eldest daughter of Ralph Doyle and Genevieve Lasar Doyle.She lived a happy childhood until the early unexpected death of her father.At the age of fourteen, she helped care for her sisters Ralphene and Doris. When Madeleine graduated high school, her aunt, Nettie Lasar, encouraged her to attend college to become an independent woman. In the mid 1940's, she worked her way through college, graduating from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau with a degree in early childhood education. She then moved to Cleveland, Ohio where she taught children in a war effort day care center. In Cleveland, she met Herman A. Fabert Jr. and the two of them were married in 1950. Madeleine and Herman celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary together in June 2006.After moving to Chicago Heights, Illinois, Madeleine and Herm started their family. She was a steadfast mother to her children and partner to Herm, encouraging him through his bout of polio while caring for their children. When Herm recovered, his business took him away from the family many times leaving Madeleine in charge of three precocious children, not an easy task! She gave to her children a good home with lots of love.She taught kindergarten and enjoyed volunteering her time to many organizations including: The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, American Association of University Women; PEO; South Suburban Hospital, American Field Service, First Presbyterian Church of Chicago Heights, and other organizations. She believed in the power of service and in being a positive contributor to family and society.After spending 17 years in retirement in Hendersonville, NC, Herman and Madeleine relocated to Western Washington. Madeleine spent her last 3 years at the Martha and Mary Nursing Home of Poulsbo, Washington where she was cared for by a dedicated staff and family.She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman and sister Ralphene.She is survived by sons, Bruce A. Fabert of Everett, WA; Kenneth R. Fabert, MD, of Bainbridge Island, WA; and daughter Gwen Fabert Maitzen of Oregon, Wisconsin; sister Dr. Doris Davis; two granddaughters, Katherine Fabert Maitzen and Emma Martin Fabert; nieces, Dee Gerding, Susan Bader, Martha Johnson, Gail Kampf and Laura Burns.Madeleine had a lifelong love of children, animals, knitting, reading, sewing, crafting, camping, gardening and nature. She provided her two sons and daughter with a deep respect for the importance of education, honesty, art, music, travel and the greatest gift, the gift of life. She was a good citizen, a good wife, and a good mother.A memorial gathering was held at the Martha and Mary Nursing Home of Poulsbo, Sunday, April 13, 2008.