Eckstein

Madalene Eckstein of Renfrew and Zelienople went to be with the Lord on March 3.

She was born April 4, 1915, to Maude and Francis J. Tyler of Westford, N.Y. Her parents; sister, Cora; brother, Mahlon James; and her husband of 56 years, Eugene, who owned Gene's Jewelry in Zelienople, preceded her in death.

She is survived by her twin sons, Allen and his wife, Laurie, and Arthur and his wife, Marion, of Renfrew; daughters, Nancy (Eckstein) Adamczyk of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Holly Eckstein and her husband, Masao Kaji, of San Diego, Calif.; as well as seven grandchildren, Matthew, Toni Jean, Eric, Heather, Tyler, Serena and Emina.

Madalene received her bachelor of arts degree in English and social studies from Hartwick College, N.Y., in 1935. She continued graduate studies at Columbia University, the University of Pittsburgh and Slippery Rock State University.

She taught at many levels: George Jr. Republic, N.Y; Inter-American University in San German, Puerto Rico; the Butler Homebound Program; 10 years at Penn Elementary, South Butler School District; and the Butler County Community College Continuing Education program.

She was a Girl Scout executive for the Pittsburgh Council and camp director at Red Wing in Renfrew, Glendale, Calif., and Rockland County, N.Y.

She was a member of the Westminster United Presbyterian Church in Evans City for more than 50 years, serving as a Sunday school teacher, deacon and choir member.

Her community interests included organic gardening, the environment and conservation. She was a founding member of the Butler Natural Foods Group, BEAT (Butler Environmental Action Team) and the Western Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Association. She also served on the Butler Conservation District, delivered Meals on Wheels, hosted for the Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors, belonged to the Pittsburgh Trailer Club and wrote a weekly column in the Butler Eagle, "Living Better for Less."

Madalene was always active, traveling across all the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe, Israel, Turkey, Egypt, Japan and Korea. She even got her pilot's license in the 1940s. After 27 years of volunteering, she finally moved into the Passavant Retirement Center four years ago at the age of 90.

Her inquisitive mind and concern for all citizens of the world helped her touch more lives that we could ever count.

<B>ECKSTEIN</B> — To celebrate the life of Madalene Eckstein, who died Wednesday, March 3, 2010, a memorial service will take place Aug. 7 in Butler County.