March 11, 1930 – October 15, 2023
Sr. Madeline Marie Hill was foremost, a woman of faith, deeply in love with the poor of the world. She lived her life as a pilgrim and “simple” servant, willing to go wherever God called her. Empowered by the strength and insights received in prayer, she was bold in her desire to serve God completely, yet ever mindful of her need to dialogue and discern with others.
Rose Maxine was born on March 11, 1930 to Omer and Zela Higdon Hill in Snap, KY. She was the youngest of 5 girls, preceded by her sisters, June, Agnita, Mary and Iveta. With her sisters, she
attended the Sr. Vincent Orphanage Elementary School and Presentation Academy High School, both in Louisville, graduating in 1944 and 1948, respectively. Although her father, Omar died of tuberculosis during her childhood, she grew and blossomed with the support of her mother and her sisters. Already as a young adult, she was becoming a woman of deep spirituality, determination and a desire to be of service to others. It is not surprising that she pursued a career in healthcare as a radiologist from St. Joseph Infirmary.
While in her early twenties, Rose met the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor and was immediately attracted to their simplicity of life and service to the poor. She entered the Novitiate on February 8, 1954 and received the name Madeline Marie, made her first Profession of Vows on September 8, 1956, and her Perpetual Profession of Vows on August 25, 1961. These years spent in formation deepened her love for God and neighbor which echoed Mary’s “Fiat – Let it be done to me as God wills.” Her ensuing years of life in community and service testifed to her deep love for God and others that never wavered even during times of discernment and struggle.
In 1962, Madeline made one of the first decisions that demonstrated her bold and daring spirit – she was one of the first 5 Sisters to be sent to minister to the people of Brazil at Ipameri and other impoverished areas, providing both basic health care services and pastoral ministry in an area of very few priests. Her original assignment of 3 years grew to over 15 years, as the people of Brazil won her heart. The longer she stayed, the deeper her love, compassion and commitment grew. Brazil had be-come her second home.
In 1975, Madeline returned to the US, to renew her health and energy, and to study at the Quincy School of Nursing, Quincy, IL. She completed her LPN degree in 1977, working first at St. Mary Hospital, and then moving to NY to provide eldercare at the Nursing Home for the Aged and providing Home Health Care in Warwick, NY. Madeline was happily content and joyful as she ministered in this capacity for a number of years. During this time of valuable learning and skill development, Made-line’s pilgrim spirit called her again to the margins.
Although invited to consider a new ministry in Senegal, after much prayer and discernment, Sr. Madeline instead requested to be missioned to a remote interior locale of Brazil, where the Sisters did not have a presence as of yet. She went on to serve six years with Fr. Jose, a priest who invited her to Cristalina, Brazil, again living and working among the poor and sharing in community with those desperately in need of both pastoral and nursing care.
In 1987, Sr. Madeline returned to St. Clare Convent where she found meaningful work as a mendicant at St. John Social Service Center in Cincinnati, providing for the poor and marginalized. She went on to offer her nursing services at Franciscan Terrace for several years and her managerial skills at Garden Court Shared Care Family Living Center for the next 5 years. Concurrently for 16 years, she also lovingly advocated for the poor through the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Mission Appeal program, visiting parishes and sharing her experiences as a missionary.
;Finally, in 1995 Madeline was able to retire from full-time ministry and devote herself to prayer, to being present to the Sisters and residents at the Terrace, and volunteering at Grace Place, a Catholic Worker House for women and children. She also continued to devote herself to pastoral activities at St. Clare Convent, serving as Eucharistic Minister and Lector, assisting with the care of the Chaplain’s quarters, the library, and even gardening at the St. Theresa Gazebo on the Peace Center grounds.
Sr. Madeline’s favorite scripture quotes, “The Beatitudes” and 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “Love is patient, kind, bears all things, hopes all things, love never fails.”, inspired and nourished her life and the lives of all she met. She lived the mandate to be poor, to be meek and merciful, and to be a peacemaker. It was evident that she considered all to be children of God. She was ever grateful for the opportunity to pilgrimage to Rome for the Beatification of Mother Francis and for her life of ministry, especially in Brazil, helping to further Mother Frances’ mission of “Healing the Wounds of Christ”.
Even towards the end of her life, as her energy and health diminished, Sr. Madeline continued to be a loving, joyful presence to her Sisters and the staff at St. Clare Convent. Her days were filled with prayer, thanksgiving, and intercession for all in need.
Sister Madeline quietly passed into the arms of her Beloved Jesus on the morning of Sunday, October 15, 2023. We will greatly miss her loving voice and her gentle manner.
By Sr. Jo-Ann Jackowski
Sr. Madeline Marie Hill, SFP
“God Bless You”
Perhaps you heard her singing out,
in tones so strong and sweet,
Perhaps you heard her prayers go up,
so simple and complete.
God called her forth, and she stepped out,
faith triumphed over fear,
No matter where God’s people were,
her love for them was clear.
“God bless you,” she would always say,
and share a little smile,
A special soul who gave with love,
and blessed us all the while.
© 2023 Beverly Kaye
Sr. Madeline Marie witnessed to me over the years, the meaning of being a true sister. She was kind, tender and caring to one and all. Always with a “ missionary heart “ she proclaimed the Good News by her everyday life.
Sr. Marilyn Trowbridge, sfp
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”. (Mt 5,8)
I believe this Gospel verse fully describes the life of Sr. Madeleine Marie: a person of great faith, always open to a smile, warm in her encounter, affectionate in her relationship, delicate in her gestures. May the Lord grant her now to contemplate God’s face in the fullness of the Love she shared with fullness during her earthly life.
Sr. Giannica Selmo, Sfp
I have come to know Sr. Madeline Marie when I became the Local ministry of the Magnificat Community. In the beginning, she joined our faith sharing group every Saturday afternoon and she always had words of wisdom to share on the Sunday reading. She was faithful in praying a decade of the rosary almost everyday after TV mass.
Sometimes she would say the Hail Mary or pray in Portuguese. I remember her as a happy, kind and gracious sister who said “Thank you, honey” when you helped her. She will surely be missed at the Magnificat dining room when she said for grace before meals where she would include a blessing for all the sisters and the caregivers and those in need. I shall miss her beautiful smile. May she be at peace with our loving God.
Sr. Armida Sison, sfp
Sister Madeline was a person filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit and radiated this light wherever she went. She was a very attentive sister and had much affection for us sisters in Brazil. Her mission was carried out with much love and affection, following the example of St. Francis, St. Clare and Mother Frances.
May God and Our Lady welcome her in their light. May she watch over us, and may the light she always radiated enlighten us in our mission. With gratitude.
Sr. Marta Gomes Pedrosa, sfp
Sr. Madeline always greeted everyone with a warm smile and enthusiasm! You felt her genuine presence and warmth.
She had a playful spirit, always joining in activities – a part of the team! It didn’t take much to make her happy!
In her later years, knowing her on Magnificat, prayer was important to her, we were assured of her many prayers daily- freely and sincerely given!
Thank you, Sister , for touching my life with your life!
With Love,
Sfp Associate Anne Cabanas
Always a welcoming smile and a kind word.
Sleep in Peace Sister,
Sfp Associate Denise Ingrassia