Sally C. Madalin

Sally Carolyn Madalin, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt, entered eternal life on July 16, 2021, at the age of 92. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, to parents Ernest and Erma Brown on January 19, 1929. She attended the University of Michigan where she graduated with a degree in Public Health Nursing. She met her husband, Dr. Herbert “Herb” Madalin, on a blind date arranged by her cousin Jack on April 1, 1950, and they were married on December 26, 1953. She was a loving mother to Karla, Diane, Bret, Janet, and Robert.

After her son, Robert, was killed by a drunk driver at age eleven, Sally dedicated countless volunteer hours to RID (Remove Intoxicated Drivers) where she helped change laws and make our streets safer. She was an avid tennis player, bridge whiz, excellent cook and became obsessed with her Sudokus! Sally and Herb had many battles over backgammon and tennis but loved the symphony and opera and traveled near and far to see performances. She was proud to have visited every continent except Antarctica.

Sally was also very quick to correct if you referred to our city as Corpus instead of Corpus Christi. She took up this cause after a discussion with Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork on a National Review cruise who was also bothered by people saying Corpus. Thereafter Sally made it her mission to remind everyone that the proper name is Corpus Christi.

Sally’s spunky personality and quick wit will be missed by all, especially those who survive her: Herbert Madalin, her loving husband of 67 years; her children Karla (Dale) Petroski, Diane (John) Wright, Bret Madalin, and Janet (Chris) Knipp; grandchildren Stefan (Landyn) Knipp, Andrew Knipp (fiancé Rose Ermer), Sean Jaroch, Laurel (Ben) Gueth, Marissa (Kyle) Flynn, Lisa (Matt) Snow, Shannon (Ethan) Nelson, Taylor Wright, and Trevor (Raelyn) Wright; and great grandchildren Owen and Mackenzie Flynn, and Madalin Knipp.

Sally is also survived by the wonderful families of her brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Anita Brown, including her loving nieces and nephew, Susan Brown Stavinoha (Bill), Karin Brown Nilles (Joe) and David Brown (Jhana) and their children and grandchildren, as well as her very special cousin Carolyn Swanson with whom she shared many adventures growing up with their brothers Jerry Brown and Jack Westman. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Patricia Madalin and nephew Bill Madalin who was the first child born on either side of the family and with whom Sally and Herb shared many happy times in Detroit.

The Madalin family would also like to give special recognition and thanks to George and Paula Flores who have become part of our family and have loved and taken care of our parents like they were their own.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm on Wednesday, July 21 at Seaside Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service will be celebrated on Thursday, July 22 at 10 am, in the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 430 S. Carancahua Street, followed by graveside services at Seaside Memorial Park at 11:30 am.

Memorial donations may be made in Sally’s name to First Presbyterian Church of Corpus Christi, the Corpus Christi Symphony or a charity of choice.

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