Madelyn G. Henderson, 88, of Burns, passed away Jan. 1 at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend.

Madelyn was born to Asa Chester Goddard and Daisy Rice Goddard in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 23, 1927. Her father and her brother, Thomas Goddard, had a great love of music and performance. Madelyn learned to play the piano and sing at an early age. The family also enjoyed camping, fishing, and visiting relatives in Massachusetts. A distant cousin, Robert Goddard, influenced Madelyn to take an active interest in the history of American flight. Madelyn had hoped to become an aviator, settling instead by dressing as Amelia Earhart every Halloween.

She graduated from The Andrews School for Girls in Willoughby, Ohio, and received a bachelor of arts in library science from Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, in 1949. While at the university, she joined Chi Omega Sorority where she met her dear friend, Mrs. Ruth Gifford, with whom she stayed in contact, especially with a candle exchange each Christmas. While working at the Lorain, Ohio, public library, Madelyn met Edwin H. Henderson. They were married in 1950, and moved to Duluth, Minn. Two daughters, Martha and Karen, were born in Duluth.

After moving further north on Lake Superior, Madelyn volunteered at the tiny Silver Bay, Minn., library. Her love of library work eventually led her to become the Crook County librarian, and the family moved to Prineville in 1965. In Prineville, Madelyn was a member of the Prineville Community Church. In 1973, Madelyn and Edwin moved to Astoria, and after a number of adventures, settled in Colville, Wash. Madelyn became an active member of the South Fork Grange, serving as secretary for nearly a decade. Madelyn enjoyed participating in the local drama group, gardening, and taking a daily walk with her beloved dog, Katie.

Upon retirement, Madelyn and Ed traveled across the U.S. and spent several years working as campground hosts and volunteering for the U.S. Park Service. They especially enjoyed their years at Big Bend National Park, where Madelyn updated a photo archive and used her library skills to add order to park records. Their adventures led them back to Oregon, settling in Burns in 2004. Madelyn was soon working at the Harney County Library and continued volunteering there until her death. She and Ed also enjoyed participating in events at the Senior Center.

Most important in their lives was becoming active members of Pioneer Presbyterian Church. Madelyn was a regular participant in the church choir, playing the piano, Pioneer Presbyterian Women, receiving the 2008 outstanding member award, the annual harvest bazaar, prayer shawl ministry, and Sunday school. She became a deacon in the church and quietly served wherever needed. Madelyn’s joyful smile and jokes reminded the church to live life as it comes, see the beauty in everyone, and believe that faith and hope would always conquer fear and sadness.

Madelyn is survived by her daughters, Dr. Martha L. Henderson and her husband, Gerald K. Webb Jr., and Karen L. Henderson and her husband, Vincent M.Gallagher; cousin, Francis Stark; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Hovland; nephew, Steven Goddard and wife, Stormy Goddard; the late David Goddard’s wife, Evelyn Goddard; and nieces, Susan Stahle, Nancy Hozjan, and Sarah Aspen; as well as their children. Madelyn is also remembered by her step-grandchildren, Monica Walrond and John Tubesing.

Madelyn was an avid reader, seamstress, knitter, and gardener. She loved life and all the adventures, camping trips, experiences in northern Minnesota to southern Texas, and local events such as a county fair. Her generosity of spirit and faith in the goodness of people brought her into contact with kindred spirits every day. She left this world as she wanted, on a sunny New Year’s Day with family around her. Gifts in Madelyn’s memory may be made to Pioneer Presbyterian Church or the Harney County Library Foundation.