Esther E. Madden

Esther (Rambo) Madden, age 93, of Quincy, died on August 27, 2024, surrounded by her family. Esther (“Kootchie”) was the daughter of Arthur and Hazel (Kneeland) Rambo. She was born 11-06-1930, in the town of Ipswich, Mass. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her beloved sister June Rambo Iola. 

In 1952, Kootchie married Warren (“Skip”) Madden. They had 7 children and enjoyed 27 years of marriage before Skip died suddenly in 1979 Survivors include Kate Madden Hansen of Maynard, MA; Jeanne Madden of Quincy, MA; Michael Madden of Newport, ME; Marie Kutlowski and her husband Mike of Maynard, MA; James Madden of Jacksonville, FL; Caroline Williams and her husband David of San Francisco, CA; Johanna Deery and her husband Joel of Quincy, MA. Kootchie also leaves 17 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Kootchie was a stay-at-home Mom until her husband died. As a single parent and provider, she found employment as a Teacher’s Aide in the Quincy Public School system. She later worked at the Quincy Court for many years.

 Kootchie was an active member of Saint Boniface Church, in the Germantown section of Quincy. She helped to create the Saint Boniface Haiti Foundation, which has grown tremendously and is now called Health Equity International. Kootchie traveled to Haiti several times, and the foundation has provided essential health services to the people of southern Haiti.

In 2002, Kootchie retired to Boca Raton, FL and thoroughly enjoyed her leisure time. She returned to Quincy in 2020, with the advent of the COVID pandemic. She has been well cared for while living with her daughter Johanna and her family, and she remained there until her death. Throughout her life, Kootchie has easily made friends and there will be many who miss her kindness and quick wit.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Sept. 5th, from Thursday 4-8 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9:15 AM on Sept. 6th, Friday prior to the Funeral Mass in Holy Trinity Parish at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Quincy at 10 AM. Burial in Pine Hill Cemetery, Quincy.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Health Equity International, (formerly the Saint Boniface Haiti Foundation), or to the Norwell VNA Hospice Program.