Madeleine Mary O'Halloran, 98

Madeleine Mary O’Halloran, 98, passed away peacefully in Polson on Sept. 20, 2026, with family beside her.

Madeleine Harris was born in Great Yarmouth, England in 1928. After her father died when she was 5 years old, Madeleine grew up in the English pub her mother managed. In her idyllic youth by the sea, Madeleine loved, and was loved by, lots of English aunts, uncles and cousins in Suffolk and Norfolk counties. 

During World War II, Madeleine was evacuated to the English countryside when the bombing campaigns began. She lived with the Nettleton family, who were delighted to foster a bright, curly-haired girl, as their own two boys went off to fight in the war. Over her five-year evacuation, she saw her own mother only once and her little brother twice.

Madeleine, educated in a convent school by Irish nuns in peacetime, grew to love the rituals of music and continued to earn certificates of accomplishment from the Royal Schools of Music after the war ended. In 1948, she graduated from Hockerill Teachers College and taught at Wroughton Junior School. She relished helping students who struggled academically. 

Madeleine met Tom O’Halloran, an Irish Royal Navy surgeon who was “very good looking with beautiful blue eyes and a killer smile.” When she heard Tom was in Great Yarmouth in 1952, she boldly invited him to tea, broke off an engagement to another and converted to Catholicism. They married at St. Mary’s Church in Great Yarmouth in 1953. Shortly after the birth of their first child, Michael, Tom whisked them away to the plains of Kerrobert, Saskatchewan, Canada, where they had four more children, Maura, Claire, Dermot and Sean.

Madeleine took to life in an unfamiliar small town, made good friends, and expertly mothered her expanding family, though she missed her English home and family terribly. She famously carried on her English heritage with homemade mince pies, sausage rolls, and English trifle and, less famously, Christmas fruitcake. Tom seized an opportunity to practice in Plains where they welcomed their sixth child, Melanie. In 1965, they finally settled in Polson and added Beth and Fiona to the clan.

With eight kids, Madeleine no longer had time to teach professionally and made the family home an environment of support, love and encouragement. She still found time for the local P.E.O. International chapter, serving as an officer and stalwart collector of bridge prizes. She later returned to her chosen vocation, volunteering to help elementary students with reading skills at Cherry Valley Elementary School. Madeleine also worked at Tom’s medical clinic until Tom’s retirement. Madeleine was also active in exercise classes into her 90’s, smiled and laughed easily, played piano beautifully, was a skilled knitter, nurtured great friendships and encouraged her own and other kids to do whatever they wished to achieve.

Ever faithful, Madeleine regularly attended the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson, taught Catechism, and would routinely assist with Parish funerals, celebrations and functions. Even when she was not physically able to attend Mass, Madeleine said the rosary at least once daily and attended televised Mass on EWTN and received holy communion during much anticipated home visits from Deacon Andy Dorrington and his wife, Linda.

In 2008, Madeleine lost her beloved Tommy, 91. Madeleine was preceded in death by all her siblings (Marjorie, Norman, Peter and Diana) and will be heartily missed by her eight children Mike (Ann Fleming), Maura, Claire Harball (Charlie), Dermot, Sean, Melanie Agrella (Rick), Beth, (Dave McAlpin), Fiona Harris (Pat); her eight lovely grandchildren, Elizabeth Harball (Brian Woodbury), Sarah Kienle (Alex), Casidhe Agrella (Altar Agrella), Erica Gonder (Quinn), Maddie, Harris, Annie Harris, Greta McAlpin and Ian McAlpin; and three very smart and spirited great grandchildren, Colbie, Marlow and Ellie; as well as numerous regular, great and great, great nieces and nephews in the United States, Ireland, England and Australia.

Madeleine’s family are ever so grateful for the care and comfort that Madeleine received from the hospice nursing staff at Partners in Home Care, the doctors, nurses, staff and fellow residents at the Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center and Assisted Living Facility, Logan Health Medical Center, and Immanuel Living - The Retreat at Buffalo Hill. 

If you would like to memorialize Madeleine’s life, P.E.O. continues to accept donations through its website. Madeleine also adored elephants and would smile on any donation to any reputable elephant sanctuary organization made in her honor.

Services for Madeleine will take place at 10 a.m. on Sept. 29 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Vigil will be held at 6 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the church. 

Messages of condolence may be shared with the family online at lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com. Lake Funeral Home and Crematory are caring for the family.