Life s earthly journey came to an end on June 18, 2013 for Madeleine Marie Marceau. She was born into a large and loving family on May 4, 1924 in Somersworth, N.H., the tenth child of George and Lydia (Ruel) Marceau. She attended St. Martin Academy in Somersworth and graduated from Somersworth High School in 1941 After 1 year of accelerated studies, received a Business degree from McIntosh College in 1942. After spending 8 years employed in the Geology Department at the University of N.H., Madeleine was offered a position in the office of N.H. Congressman Chester E. Merrow. In 1951, at the age of 25, Madeleine packed her bags and headed for our nation s Capital where she spent the remainder of her career working in the House of Representatives. She first worked with Congressman Chester Merrow, followed by N.H. Congressman James Cleveland, and finally, with California Congressman Charles Gubser where she worked as his Administrative Assistant until her retirement in 1975. Madeleine loved sharing her life with family and friends, and her doors were always open. Many of her nieces and nephews and other family members and friends were generously given grand tours of Washington, D.C. viewing it from the inside out. While in the D.C. area, Madeleine lived in Georgetown, Arlington, VA and finally, following her retirement, in McLean, VA. Following a period of declining health, Madeleine had to make the difficult choice of leaving her many dear friends in Virginia to return to New England to be closer to her family. She purchased an apartment at Sentry Hill, a retirement community in York, ME where she spent many happy years reconnecting with family and discovering new friends. Madeleine will be remembered for her quick wit, love of animals, fierce independence and caring generosity. She lived a full and generous life and will be sadly missed. She leaves one sister, Annette Berube of Somersworth and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by four brothers, (Rev.) Valmore, Edouard, William and Richard Marceau and four sisters, Bernice Levesque, Rosa Maxfield, Lea St. Laurent and Edna Cartier and a very dear friend, Eleanor Buehler. She was a communicant of St. Christopher Church in York, ME There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish in St. Martin Church, (corner of West High and Maple Streets Somersworth) with Rev. Michael S. Taylor as celebrant. Following cremation, her urn will be buried in the family lot in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Somersworth. Donations may be made to: Cocheco Valley Humane Society 262 County Farm Road Dover, N.H. 03820 Arrangements are entrusted to Bernier Funeral Home 49 South Street Somersworth. (www.bernierfuneralhome.net)