Madeleine Parker, 85

Madeleine Jean Patricia (Murphy) Parker, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday afternoon, June 2, 2021 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.
She was born November 22, 1935 in Sturgis, daughter of the late The Rev. Robert J. and Marion (Cannon) Murphy. Madeleine’s father was the Chaplin at Howe Military School for many years.
She was a lifelong resident of Sturgis and Howe, Indiana where she was a graduate of Lima High School with the class of 1954. She went on to study in South Bend, Ft Wayne and then Chicago, to earn her degree in dance.
On August 18, 1962 she married Joseph W. Parker at St. James Chapel in Howe, by Madeleine’s father The Rev. Robert J. Murphy.
Miss Madeleine owned and operated Madeleine Murphy School of Ballet. She began this career with her mother at the family home in the 50’s. The school was later relocated to the stage area of the Sturges Young Civic Auditorium and continued until her retirement in 1997. She also taught Ballroom dancing for many years.
Madeleine was involved in the collaboration of many events in the Sturgis area. Some included the Miss Sturgis Pageant with the late Doris Reichard, 1776 with the Civic Players and many high school musicals with Geneene Morrisson. A few of the musicals included: South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof and Brigadoon. She also produced many recitals based on classical ballets such as the Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.
She enjoyed reading novels, was an avid shopper with a flair for fashion, and had a great passion for animals, as demonstrated by her donations to animal welfare from the annual benefit recitals. She loved spending time with family and friends and her cat Tigger.
She is survived by her loving and dedicated husband of nearly 59 years: Joseph; one daughter: Elizabeth (J. Patrick) Wilkins of Brookfield, Wisconsin; one son: Christopher Parker of Saugatuck, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister: Mary Elizabeth DeGolier and one brother: Robert D. Murphy.
In accordance with her wishes cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 31st in the Great Hall of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sturgis. A memorial Requiem Mass will immediately follow the visitation in the church sanctuary. The Rev. Father James Lively will officiate. Private placement of the ashes in the church memorial garden will follow the Mass.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements.
In honoring the love Madeleine had for animals the family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial donations be directed to Hope for the Animals of SJC, 25420 Mintdale Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com where we encourage relatives and friends to share memories and leave condolences for the family.