Madeline Bernice Greenlee

Madeline Day Greenlee, age 91, died peacefully at home on May 5, 2021. She was in the presence of her 3 children and her grandchildren when she passed away. Madeline lived a full and wonderful life and she told us that often. She was born in San Bernardino Ca. on 9/14/1929. Always a lover of the sun and outdoors the Southern California climate fit her. Together with her parents Harold and Nora and her beloved sister Barbara, they enjoyed the exciting growing community and made frequent trips to the nearby beaches. Madeline moved to Denney Ca during her teenage years and attended high school in Weaverville. Finally she moved to Chico to attend college and she never left. It was at Chico State she met the love of her life Ed Greenlee. They married and raised 3 children, John, Teri, and Jim. Family was everything and Chico was just right for her. On those hot days of summer she would take the kids to the creek and play in the cool water all day long. Ed and Madeline had an extensive group of friends. They all raised kids of similar ages and did everything together from skiing at Mt. Lassen to camping in the high Sierras. Their group of friends stayed loyal and close throughout the decades. They travelled together throughout the United States and Canada and finally throughout Europe. There is still a wall at a corner table in the Italian Cottage that is full of their travel pictures. It was there they met for breakfast together every Sunday. Madeline became a Home Economics teacher in the Chico school district. Later she became involved in the R.O.P. program and placed many young kids in various occupations around the Chico area primarily in health care. There was a time when you couldn't walk past an Enloe nursing station without an employee saying "say Hi to your mom for me". In 1989 Ed and Madeline built a beautiful cabin at Lake Almanor. It was there in the summer months they continued their gatherings with family and friends. Madeline was an excellent bridge player. She met to play bridge with a small group of friends on a weekly basis. Talking and gossiping with the "bridge girls" was one of the highpoints of her week. Madeline's qualities and virtues could fill a book but above all she was strong in character and kind and loving in nature. If Madeline could teach us one thing by her life it would be "look for the beauty in life and always enjoy family and friends." Madeline is survived by her 3 children, John Greenlee, Teri Barr (Dugan), and Jim Greenlee (Cathleen); 6 grandchildren, Sean, Eric, Erin, Catie, Madeline, and Annalise and 6 Great grandchildren and her precious dog "Frankie". She is preceded in death by her husband Ed, her parents Harold and Nora and her sister Barbara. Finally, special thanks to our dear friends Betty and Carmen Zepeda who cared for her in her final days. They loved her and she loved them. Donations can be made on behalf of Madeline Greenlee to the Notre Dame School Music Department, 435 Hazel St. Chico, CA. 95928. A private ceremony will be held at her final resting place at Glen Oaks Memorial Park Chico Ca.