Mary Jeanne Madere

Mary Jeanne Payne Madere died in the arms of loved ones on Friday, June 24, 2011 at her home in Diamondhead, MS. ""Jeannie"" left us after a painful battle against lung cancer.
Born on August 9, 1940 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to the late Gordon E. Payne and Mrs. Doris Farmer Payne. In 1952, the family moved to Atlanta, Georgia.
Jeannie attended Sacred Heart Girls High School and was a cheerleader for Marist where her father served as Athletic Director. Despite the death of her father in late summer, 1958, Jeannie began her nursing studies in the fall. St. Joseph's Nursing School awarded her a full three-year scholarship and she received the Atlanta Journal Cup as the most outstanding graduate. She later received her certification as an ICU nurse specialist and practiced at numerous hospitals: the VA hospitals in New Orleans and Pittsburgh, PA, St. Claude General, Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans and Stanford University Hospital in Palo Alto, CA. She worked full time in the intensive care unit at Slidell Memorial Hospital until the first week of January, 2011 when a bout of pneumonia led to the discovery of Stage 4 Metatastic Lung Adenocarcinoma.
While receiving specialty training in New Orleans, she met Earl J. Madere, M.D. They married following her graduation from nursing school and had four children: Michael Patrick, Christopher John, Julie Claire and Kelly Susan.
Jeannie loved her children beyond measure. She also loved her life as a brilliant, compassionate nurse. She demonstrated her great faith in God with uncommon acts of generosity and sacrifice. A loving sister, she offered her sister Patty a kidney when diabetes caused her kidneys to fail. She gave her youngest sister Lisa a home in New Orleans when personal problems were causing her to suffer academically. She gave her son, Patrick's children a safe haven in which to live and grow at a time when most are past the age when they are willing to endure teenagers. She provided shelter to many after Hurricane Katrina, and commuted from her home assisting with the nursing shortage after the storm. These are just a few examples of the love, consolation, financial and emotional support to all who were fortunate enough to know her.
Michael Patrick predeceased his mother in 2000, leaving two surviving children, Brittany Ann Madere Grant and Christopher James Madere.
Jeannie is survived by Christopher John (Etsuko and daughter, Rika of Numazu City, Japan); Julie Shreve (Mark and their children, Kelsey, Ally and Mark David of Mandeville, Louisiana); and Kelly Covington (Bob and their children, John Patrick and Julia of Woodstock, Georgia.)
Jeannie is also survived by her mother, sisters, Carole Davis and Lisa Guttshall, her sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Payne and numerous loving nieces, nephews and grand nieces/nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 27, 2011, from 6:30pm until the Recitation of the Rosary at 7:15pm at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 9113 Kiln Delisle Road in Pass Christian, MS.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at 10:30am at Annunciation Catholic Church, 5370 Kiln Delisle Road in Kiln, MS. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery at Rotten Bayou in Hancock County.
Her family wishes to thank St. Joseph's Hospice of Gulfport and St. Joseph's Abbey for their craftsmanship. Donations in Jeannie's honor can be sent to the monks at St. Joseph's Abbey 75376 River Road St. Benedict, LA 70457.