Madeleine E. Hollis

Madeleine E. Hollis, 93 of Melbourne, FL, passed away on 22 September 2025, days away from her 94th birthday, having lived a rich and full life. She was born in the small farm town of Mars-la-Tour, France. From there her life adventure began.

As a young girl, growing up in France near the border of Germany she experienced the occupation by the German Army during World War Two, fleeing the conflict and returning to the experience the liberation by the United States Forces. During both, she witnessed soldiers from both armies utilizing her home as a barracks.

Years later, now as a young woman, she found employment, as a cashier, at a nearby US Air Force base in Etain, France. It was there where love struck a young airman named Ralph Hollis of Waltham, MA. He told a friend, “I’m going to marry that beautiful girl!” before he ever spoke to her. That’s where the grand tour began.

Married in the beautiful church in Mars-la-Tour. First son born soon after at Bitburg Air Force base. Then a string of moves as her husband followed a full career in the Air Force. Okinawa, Florida panhandle, Germany several times, New Mexico, Cape Cod, Massachusetts and finally Florida.

Just before her husband retired from the US Air Force while in Germany, Madeleine brought into the world her second son, Edward. By coincidence, even after over a decade of traveling the world, both of her sons were born in the same hospital in Bitburg, Germany.

After her husband’s retirement from the military, a whole new chapter in her life began. As her husband chased the Titanic in the Atlantic to discovering tube worms on the floor of the Pacific, this strong woman maintained the household and raised her two sons. With a desire to escape the snow of the Northeast, her husband’s second retirement lead them to the warm sun and blue waters of Florida.

Her golden years were spent in Satellite Beach, then Melbourne. She enjoyed get togethers with the Sundowners at the Patrick base yacht club, feeding stray animals, going to church, working part time at the thrift store or enjoying Sunday brunch at the Officers Club overlooking the ocean. It was these simple pleasures that made her happy.

She leaves behind her two sons, John (D’Arcy) and Edward (Tammy), two grandchildren, Corey (Robin) and Kelsey (Bradley) and four great-grandchildren, Natasha, Leo, Audrey and Adrian.

A memorial service in Madeleine's honor will take place 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, October, 2nd, 2025 at Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care, Melbourne Chapel.

Madeleine will be missed with her French accent and a few “Oh-la-la’s” thrown in, she was always a pleasure. May her memory live forever in our hearts and lives.