AIKEN, S.C. — Word has been received that a former New Vineyard woman Patricia Joyce Madore passed away on Feb. 10, 2009, at the age of 78 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Madore was born in New Britain Conn., the daughter of the late Norman and Mary Kowalski Joyce. Madore and her late husband, Donald, lived on Route 27 in New Vineyard from 1977 to 1985. Madore was employed as a social worker for the State of Maine for two years and taught school at the Wilton Academy for over five years. Both the Madores were active members of the Aurora Grange of Strong. Madore was also a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Farmington and enjoyed competing at the local fairs with her draft horses, while residing in Maine.

Madore was a member of the Rocky Swamp American Indian Ministries and an active member of the Mormon Church in Dillingham, Ark., said her daughter, Donna. After Madore and her late husband moved to Aiken, S.C., Madore taught special education in the Aiken school system. "My mom was very much into helping especially handicapped children as part of her social work," said Donna. A loving teacher for 55 years, Madore taught her students to overcome challenges and hardships to find success, said her children, including Kevin Madore of Farmington, stating, "it was who she was and how she lived ... always and forever a teacher."

Madore is survived by her two daughters, Susan Thames of Dillingham, Ark. and Donna Madore of Aiken, S.C.; sons, Kevin of Farmington, Joel of Frederick, Md. and Norman of Denmark, S.C.; also 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Maryanne McCue of Hartford, Conn.

In addition to her parents her first husband, Richard McCarthy; second husband, Donald Madore; and her brother, Robert Joyce preceded her in death.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009, in Aiken, S.C.

Anyone who would like to make a donation in Madore's memory may direct it to the South Carolina Special Olympics, 810 Dutch Square Blvd., Suite 204, Columbia SC 29210.