Obituary of Madelaine Conlan Pierson

Madelaine Conlan Pierson went to hug Jesus on Sunday, July 6, 2008. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 217 Prospect St., South Orange, on Thursday, July 10, at 10 a.m. Interment is in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Orange. Visitation will be held at the Preston Funeral Home, 153 South Orange Ave., South Orange, on Wednesday from 3 to 9 p.m. For more information or to send condolences, please visit www.prestonfuneralhome.net. Born in South Orange, Mrs. Pierson was predeceased by her parents, Mary and Bud Conlan, as well as her brother, Lt. Brian D. Conlan. Madelaine graduated from Our Lady of Sorrows School, Marylawn of the Oranges High School and Chestnut Hill College in Pennsylvania, with a degree in psychology. She began her teaching career at St. Rose of Lima, Short Hills, and continued her service to Catholic schools through St. Marys and Sacred Heart School, Newark, and Our Lady of Sorrows, South Orange. Madelaine was a beloved kindergarten teacher for 33 years at Our Lady of Sorrows, leaving behind a multitude of lives that were touched by her legendary gift as an educator. A true artist of teaching, she based her methods on her genuine love for children and her passion to give them the best possible start. In 1994, Our Lady of Sorrows School Alumni Association Hall of Fame presented Madelaine with the Distinguished Alumni Award. She received the Outstanding Education Award in 1999. She was a proud Rosarian and was honored in 2005. Madelaine was a member of the John Cryan Association and an active member of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish. Cherishing Madelaines life and memory are her husband of 24 years, James W. Pierson, as well as her eight children, Mary and her husband, Michael Surkein, Barbara and her husband, Phil Schaedel, Joan and her husband, Ahmed Weisi, Maggie and her husband, Bill Carlson, Erin and her husband, Ross Aboff, Maureen and her husband, Will Schaub, James Pierson Jr. and his wife, Simone, and Andrew Pierson and his wife, Kim. Twenty-six children had the privilege to call her Grandma. She was the beloved sister of Midge OBrien and her husband, Tommy. She was the Aunt Doozie to Mollie, her godchild, Michael, Meghan, Matthew, Maureen and Marty. She was also great-aunt of 13 children. Madelaines laughter and wit will be missed by so many of her dear friends. The family wishes to thank th doctors, nurses and staff at Clara Maass and Beth Israel for their compassionate and professional care. In lieu of flowers, and to honor Madelaines memory, donations can be made to Madelaine Conlan Pierson Scholarship Fund to benefit a student at Our Lady of Sorrows. If it is your wish, please send the donation to Our Lady of Sorrows with Madelaine Piersons name in the memo section.