Brenda Ralph Madkour

Brenda Ralph Madkour, a long-time resident of Manchester Center, Vermont, for over sixty years, passed away peacefully on August 15 at the age of 89. Brenda was born in Lowell, MA, on June 28, 1934, one of five children of Richard and Alice Walwood Ralph. Brenda spent most of her childhood in Bennington, VT, where she went to Bennington High School and later attended Framingham Teacher’s State College in Massachusetts. After graduating, she taught Home Economics, a profession which she dearly loved and a talent she shared with her children. While growing up in Bennington, she met Abraham Madkour, and with her inherent streak of adventure and independence, Brenda traveled to Germany to be with Abe where he was stationed as an Army dentist. They were married in Karlsruhe, Germany, in 1958, and welcomed four children born in Germany. In 1961, they moved back to Vermont and subsequently had three more children. Brenda helped her husband establish his dental practice in Manchester Center in 1962 and worked for years as his Office Manager. Brenda was an active member of the Manchester community. She was President of The Garden Club, was one of the first women school board members for Burr and Burton Seminary, served on Manchester’s Design Review Board, was a volunteer on Manchester’s Recreation Committee, taught catechism at St. Paul’s Parish and was a member of the Monday Club and the Dorset Theatre Festival Board. She loved working in her gardens, enjoyed cooking, reading, sewing and home making. She thoroughly enjoyed being home taking care of her large family and was always welcoming friends and neighbors to share a meal at their family home, The Landmark. Brenda was known for her loving energy, as well as her generosity, kindness, and merry laugh. But it was her deep, enduring love for her late husband, Abe, and her seven children that many will remember. She is survived by her children; twins Christopher of Huntsville, Alabama, and Tina (Marc) of South Burlington, Vermont; Mark (Jennifer) of Scottsdale, Arizona; Michael of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Stephen (Jenny) of Portland, Oregon; Katherine of Manchester, Vermont and Abraham of Charlotte, North Carolina. She was a beloved grandmother to three grandchildren. The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Keith Michl and the Visiting Nurses Association, especially Alex Sands, for their compassionate care during Brenda’s illness. Following a life devoted to service and helping others, a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Christ Our Savior Church in Manchester Center, Vermont on Friday, September 15, at 11:00 am. Remembrances can be made in Brenda’s memory to the Monks of Weston Priory, the Carthusian Foundation, the Carmelite Nuns of Lowell, Vt., the Huntsville Museum of Art or to a charity of your choice through the office of the Mahar & Son Funeral Home 628 Main Street Bennington, VT 05201. Online condolences can be shared at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net.