June 4, 1933– October 24, 2026

SISTER MARIAN MADDEN, SC, age 93, answered God’s call to eternal life on

October, 24, 2026 at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Greensburg, in the seventy-second year of her commitment to consecrated life. Sister Marian, the youngest of four children, was born in Pittsburgh on June 4, 1933, and entered the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill on September 8, 1954, from Sacred Heart Parish, Shadyside. Sister Marian was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Grace (Gearing) Madden; her brother, Charles; and her two sisters, Margaret Jones and Frances O’Toole. She is survived by her nieces, nephews, their families, and her religious family, the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill.

Sister Marian earned degrees from four universities: a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education from Duquesne University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Seton Hill University; a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University. She also received a certificate in spiritual direction from the Christian Spirituality Program at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. This educational foundation and her ongoing pursuit of knowledge prepared her for the various positions to which she was called to minister.

Sister Marian began her ministry in Catholic education as an elementary and secondary teacher in diocesan schools in Pennsylvania. She later moved to Ohio, where she served as a diocesan consultant for religious education for three Ohio dioceses: Toledo, Columbus, and Steubenville. After serving in educational roles, she entered administration as Director of Student Financial Aid at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. In this role, she was invited to moderate the student prayer group and was grateful for the opportunity to accompany university students in their spiritual growth. After twelve years at Seton Hill University, she moved on to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, where she began giving retreats and serving as a spiritual companion. There, she was called to be the Delegate for Consecrated Life, Vicar for Religious, and Director of the Office of Women. Sister Marian’s active ministry then ended, and she said, “I knew it was time to move on and transition to a slower pace.”  

In 2007, Sister Marian began her retirement years with a six-week sabbatical program called “A Sabbatical Journey in the Southwest.” She then participated in a forty-day program at Spiritual Exercises Institute. After that, she continued her ministry of spiritual direction, giving presentations on a variety of spiritual topics, and preparing meetings for the Seton Family Groups. Sister Marian gladly joined Sisters Ann Infanger and Mary Francis Irvin in holding weekly prayer meetings for the Family of God Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Throughout her years of ministry, as busy as she was, she always made time to follow the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins, by watching the games and wearing their colors.

Sister Marian once reflected on her life as a Sister of Charity. “I treasure my calling from God to be a Sister of Charity. God has been faithful and loving, my community has been both supportive and challenging, and I have been happy to live the fullness of religious life while serving the Church in a variety of ministries.”   

May you share the peace, joy, and happiness of eternal life, Marian, with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the Company of Charity, and your loved ones.

The funeral liturgy will be live-streamed; access through the link:  https://venue.streamspot.com/2af9e1eb