Obituary of Madeline N. Spada

Maddalena (Madeline) N. Spada passed away peacefully on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2023 at the age of 95.

Born in Newark, NJ, to parents Savino and Philomena (D’Anzieri) Saponara on Christmas Day 1927, Madeline resided in East Orange, West Orange and Roseland, NJ, before settling in Basking Ridge, NJ. She was a Catholic with a deep and abiding faith in God.

Madeline’s life’s greatest work was as a homemaker and raising her family; she brought happiness to everyone whose lives she touched and was a beautiful soul inside and out who cared deeply for the people she loved, especially her children and grandsons. Madeline enjoyed the beach, cooking, gardening, dancing, playing cards and spending time with family and friends.  One of her greatest joys was pleasing others – she truly was the definition of the word “selfless”.

Madeline is predeceased by her beloved husband of 47 years, Joseph J. Spada, her three brothers, Theodore, Sam and Charles “Bill” Saponara, and her daughter Madelyn.  She is survived by her son, Joseph W. (Tamara) Spada of Mendham, NJ, daughter Lisa Spada of Basking Ridge, NJ, and grandchildren Joseph, Christopher, Jarrett and Brett Spada.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Road, Mendham.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 18, at 10 AM, at St. Joseph Church, W. Main St, Mendham.  Madeline will be laid to rest with her husband at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover immediately following services. In lieu of flowers, donations in Madeline’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/ and Tri-County Scholarship Fund https://www.tcsfund.org/.