Madeline Deane, age 89, of Norwood, PA was called to her heavenly home on February 1st, 2023 and is now reunited with her loving late husband Robert Knox Deane, Sr. Madeline was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA and was the daughter of the late Jennie (Tait) and late Joseph Allen (Al) Tustin. She was raised by her devoted father Al and loving “Mom and Pop”, the late Nellie (Allen) Tustin (Grandmother) and Charles Bastian Tustin (Grandfather), who nicknamed Madeline “Bunny” as a child. As a preteen during WW2, she served as a Junior Air Raid Warden alongside her “Pop” and each night they strolled the neighborhood together checking for visible light peeking through the blackout window shades. Madeline was a graduate of Bartrum High School in South West Philadelphia and her yearbook excerpt detailed “Bunny makes laughter and sunshine wherever she goes, with her smiling eyes and dimples too. She’ll be a fine secretary.” As an active High School student she participated in National Honor Society, Usher’s Club, S.A. Representative, Volleyball, Class Trip Committee, Swimming Club, Yearbook Writing Staff, and Dance Committee. Madeline was an active member of Pritchard Memorial Lutheran Church and accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior starting at a young age.
As a young adult Madeline served as a USO Hostess where she met her husband Robert (Bob) Knox Deane Sr. who was serving in the United States Coast Guard. In 1954 Madeline and Bob were married and moved to Norwood. PA. Together they became active members of the Norwood United Methodist Church. Madeline spent her life lovingly devoted to her family and to serving the Lord. She taught Sunday School and Bible school, she served as Superintendent of the Junior Department, she was an Assistant Teacher at the Little Blessings Preschool, she served on numerous church committees over the years, she sang in the church choir, she was a dedicated link of the prayer chain, and even preached a sermon or two when asked by the Pastor. Madeline volunteered at the Norwood Elementary School as a Homeroom Mother, Library aide, Block Parent and chaperone on many school trips over the years. She also visited shut-ins, volunteered as a Pink Lady at Taylor Hospital, delivered meals to hospital visitors, and volunteered at The Little Flower Nursing Home. Most of all, Madeline dedicated her life to lovingly raising her four children, Rob, Melanie, Lorrie and Nancy, through all stages of their lives. She was a loving, devoted, and actively involved Grandmother and Great Grandmother. Madeline was called Gram, Grand-mom, Joom, and Great Gram by her grandkids and great grandkids. She loved to read, especially aloud to the grand and great grands who were a huge part of her life. Everyone loved Madeline and she was described as one of the sweetest, kindest, most caring ladies you would ever meet. She lived a long full life and was ready to meet her Lord and Savior and reunite with those who went before her, especially her loving husband Bob and daughter-in-law Maria (Alessandro) Deane. Madeline and Maria shared a special mother-daughter bond. Along with raising their own four children, over the years Madeline and Bob expanded their family with many friends who they loved and called “adopted sons & daughters”.
Madeline is survived by her son Robert K. Deane Jr., daughters: Melanie Deane Cooney, Lorrie Deane Leranian (Gary) and Nancy Deane McCrosson (Chuck), as well as grandchildren: Josh Cooney, Stacey Cooney Andrelczyk (Mike), Amy Cooney, Niki Leranian Bulger (Larry), Katie Leranian Fluharty (Nick), and Gary Leranian (Jessie), as well as Great-Grandchildren: Gabraelle McCauley, Joshua Cooney, Aiden Violette, Gavin Cooney, Mason Cooney, Natalia Cooney, Logan Bulger, Emily Bulger and Lucas Bulger.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Madeline’s memory to the Norwood United Methodist Church.
Service Details Celebration of Life: Saturday, February 11, 2023
The Norwood United Methodist Church, 315 Chester Pike, Norwood, PA 19074.
Visitation: 9AM to 10AM
Service: 10AM
Burial: will follow at Mount Hope Methodist Cemetery, 4010 Concord Rd, Aston, PA 19014
