Madalenne Rose Smith, nee Wooden, of Eureka, beloved mother, grandmother, friend, and true force of nature, died peacefully on May 26, 2025, in the company of loved ones and tended to by the skilled and incredibly compassionate professionals at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Madalenne was larger-than-life – the world’s grandest grand dame. The epitome of class, sophistication, and grace. An incandescent light in a world that is now markedly darker without her. In every phase of her life, she was unafraid to be exactly who she was – an intellectual force, a woman of faith and service, who sprinkled her fairy dust on everyone around her wherever she went. On May 26th, the world lost an extraordinary woman and her family lost their North Star.

Long Story Short. Madalenne was born December 1 1936, and grew up in Eureka, California, with her brother, Thomas. She attended St. Bernard’s School and Eureka High School, graduating in 1954. She was precocious, curious and, it must be said, a bit naughty (pushing boundaries as she forged her own path into adulthood). Ever independent, Madalenne enlisted in the United States Navy where she was stationed in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and served as Air Controlman Third Class.

In 1957, she met Richard Smith, a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the United States Marine Corp, at the Naval Hospital in Philadelphia. Both Madalenne and Dick had been in separate motor vehicle accidents, with these unfortunate events leading ultimately to a serendipitous outcome for both of them as they became fast friends and ultimately fell in love. They were married at St Bernard’s Church in Eureka on September 7, 1958. Madalenne and Dick welcomed three children, Kim in 1959, Paige in 1964, and Richard in 1974 – who Madalenne would forever refer to as the jewels in her crown.

Pace Yourself. The family moved from New Jersey to Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb just north of Chicago in 1963, where they would live until 1978. The sport of rugby soon became a central part of family life, with Dick founding the Chicago Lions Rugby Football Club and Madalenne, fondly known as the first lady of the Lions, supporting him and the Club at every step; they built a wonderful community of close friends and sparkling memories over these years. She loved rugby and could be found most Saturdays cheering vociferously for her husband and the Lions while selling homemade Smithwiches on the sidelines to raise money for the club.

Madalenne also sang in the St Joseph’s church choir, volunteered at the grade school, and along with her dear friend Kay, ran the most overachieving Girl Scout Troop on the North Shore – one year their Troop earned 12 badges! She was a welcome and familiar presence at every sporting event or performance at the kids’ school, and a favorite of teachers, students, and parents alike. These years were among the happiest of Madalenne’s life - full of friends, growing children, laughter, a home filled with sunshine and music, and love.The Vicissitudes of Life. Seattle was the next stop on the Smith family’s westward journey. Once again, Madalenne became a familiar face at her son’s school, coordinating teacher appreciation events and fundraising for the music department. The years in Washington were challenging in a variety of ways, but Madalenne’s resilience stood her in good stead, and she emerged from the crucible with her grace and good humor intact. She would forever be the Materfamilias of her blended family.

In 1995, Madalenne moved back to Eureka to care for her beloved mother in her final months; after her mother passed away, Madalenne decided to remain in her hometown. Eureka would be the place where she would bring her love of books to new heights, blessing the St. Bernards Academy library with her wit, wisdom and vast knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System. Madalenne volunteered in the library from 1996-2001 and was asked to return a few years later at the ripe old age of 80 to bring the library back to life which she lovingly did for the last eight years.

We’re Golden. Madalenne transformed the St Bernard library into a warm, welcoming place of kinship, exploration, and learning. If a student expressed interest in a book, within days Mrs. Smith made sure that book was available in the library. People young and old looked up to and admired her, not only because of her fabulous energy, style, and wit, but also because of her kind heart and positivity. She had a fierce love of the library and all that it represented for the St. Bernard’s community, and had a truly unique way of making people feel included, seen and deeply valued. In return, the library provided a purpose for Madalenne in her golden years, a way to be productive and give back to a place and people she cared deeply about.

While “librarian” was always an important role to Madalenne, her children remain her proudest legacy. Her daughter Paige once wrote, “She really is the best part of our family, the whisper of ‘I believe in you’ that will forever echo in my ear, and the roar of being fully and fiercely loved by her. I am truly blessed that she is who God chose for me, and I will forever try to be worthy of this gift I was given…the gift of living within the circle of her impossibly generous love.”

All Is Well. Madalenne’s lively intellect, infectious laughter, loyal and steadfast love, and her ability to find and spread joy in every day, despite her conviction that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, made her a unique and irreplaceable treasure. She made every place and every life better for her having been part of them.

One More Thing… She still got excited for school pictures. She was the Queen of Adjectives, having never met a noun that didn’t need modifying. Her mantra for all situations in life was “pace yourself”. She watched ALL the races on the first Saturday in May and could wax rhapsodic on the subject of Secretariat. If life could be organized by the Dewey Decimal System, she would have been a happy camper. She would have been lost without her rosary beads. She loved Brandy Alexanders, Bailey’s coffee, and hot fudge sundaes with equal parts ice cream and hot fudge. She had an infectious laugh. She adored opera, the ocean, and Partrick’s candy. She had guardian angels named Sarah, MaryAnn, Paul and Catherine. She endured life’s trials with uncommon grace and equanimity. She was, quite simply, the best.

It is hard to fathom that anything could ever overcome her immeasurable will to live. She leaves behind a void that can never be filled, but her light lives on in her beloved children and grandchildren. To say “she will be missed” is a radically inadequate understatement. She was truly one of one. Iconic, legendary, dynamic. There will never be another like her. How lucky we all should feel to have coexisted on the same plane as Madalenne Smith, and to have been able to drink from her immense cup of joie de vivre.

Madalenne was preceded in death by her brother, Thomas, and her dear mother and step-father, Madalena and William Roberts. She is survived by her children, Kimberly Smith (Brian Snyder), Paige Pierce, and Richard Smith, her grandchildren, Evan Flay (Corie), Grant Pierce, Kylie and Mackenzie Smith, and her great-grandson, Ryker Flay.

A funeral Mass will be held at St Bernard Catholic Church, 615 H Street, Eureka, CA 95501, at 10:00 am PT on June 21, 2025, preceded by a rosary at 9:30 am. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Madalenne’s honor to St. Bernard’s Academy (222 Dollison St, Eureka CA 95501; Online: www.saintbernards.us. Please note in your donation that you wish the funds to be used for the library in loving memory of Madalenne R. Smith.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Madalenne Smith’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.