Madeline Mary Abruzzese

On April 1, 2023, Madeline Mary Abruzzese, lovingly known by many as Maddy, passed away peacefully at age 85 around beloved family after a hard-fought battle with small cell lung cancer. She was always a fighter and had previously beat breast cancer over 20 years ago. After being diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2022 she underwent chemotherapy and radiation and had significantly improved giving her a better quality of life for her final months. Unfortunately, the cancer recently spread to her brain and shortly thereafter she passed.

The extra time she had after doing her initial treatment was so valuable. She got to visit with family and friends from near and far, do the things she loved like crafting and relaxing and got to be with her beloved husband of 44 years Salvatore (Steve) Abruzzese and their cat Sammy. Steve was amazing and cared lovingly and diligently for Madeline until she peacefully passed on April Fools’ Day, something those of us close to her think she may have gotten a kick out of since she did have a sassy side to her personality.

Madeline was born in Sierra Madre, California on August 24, 1937, where she grew up and then raised her children Douglas, Janice, and Rodney. In 1975 she met her husband Steve and his daughter Stephanie, who she loved and raised from that time on as her own. Her husband Steve did the exact same thing, loving and raising Maddy’s 3 children as his own as well as their combined grandchildren and great grandchildren in the years to come. In 1977 the two were married in Las Vegas, which from the stories that are told, was a very fun filled and memorable event for all who attended.

In 1981 Maddy and Steve decided to leave the hustle and bustle of California and moved to Pitkin, Colorado to run the Silver Plume General Store. In 1985 they moved to Montrose, Colorado where they have resided ever since.

Madeline and her husband Steve loved their family dearly and would do anything to help and make each and every family member feel how much they loved them. It didn’t matter if it was one of their children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren, the Abruzzese’s would drop everything to be there for them in whatever way they needed.

Maddy loved antiquing and crafting. She had an amazing knack for sifting through items at Salvation Army, Goodwill, flea markets or garage sales and finding the diamond in the rough. She had several stores in Montrose over the years including Maddy’s Coop, as well as spaces at other local stores selling all her special finds, home décor and crafts.

Madeline had her craft shed and special room at her home to store all of her in progress new creations. She was extremely creative and truly enjoyed crafting and interior decorating. Even during her cancer treatment, she would get enough energy to think about making special gifts for her doctors, nurses and other health care staff. Many of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren continue to have this love and natural talent of crafting and decorating. Some more than others, as she would happily tell you in the kindest but most matter of fact of ways. Every few years she would get a new design idea and put her husband Steve to work on redecorating their home.

Maddy also loved to “veg out” and watch tv, cozy on the couch or in her room. All her family fondly remember watching her tv favorites with her like anything on HGTV, Lifetime movies and many silly shows on TLC like 90 Day Fiancé, which became one of her favorites.

Madeline is preceded in death by many loved ones including her parents Richard Morago and Eugenia (Jenny) Rosa Morago, sister Carol Morago Starkey, son Rodney, and grandson Tyler.

She is survived by her husband Salvatore (Steve) Abruzzese, brother Richard (Dick) Morago, children Douglas and Dorothy, Janice, Stephanie and Cindy, grandchildren Brandon, Nicole, Christian, Ashley, Cameron, Garet, Ryan and Makenna, and great grandchildren Lane, Zach, Hayden, Landon, Angelica, Adriana, Danny, Lacey, Alacrity, Kayden, Jayce, Jameson, Quinn, Avery, and Johnathon. She also has many other extended family members not named here who were very special to her and that she loved dearly.

Madeline lived her life to the fullest. She worked hard, she loved big, and she was just the most likeable and lovable sassy lady you could ever hope to meet. Her family will miss her dearly, but the memories we have and the impact she has made on each and every one of us will last forever, until we meet again.

Services will be held Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the Crippin Funeral Home Chapel, the service will conclude at the chapel.

Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose, is assisting the family.