Joan Dorothea Madeksza, avid journalist
Joan Dorothea Madeksza (nee Ridgeway) of Lewes Beach passed away Saturday, July 3, 2021, at Beebe Healthcare after suffering a debilitating stroke that left her unresponsive. Joan Ridgeway was born Sept. 1, 1933, in New Hampton, Iowa, daughter of the late S.E. and Marion (Zimmerman) Ridgeway.
A graduate (summa cum laude) of the University of Iowa with a degree in journalism, Joan was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. As a journalist, she spent her professional career as an educator, writer and editor across the United States, including Nebraska, Delaware, Alabama, Connecticut, Florida and North Carolina. Some of Joan’s fondest memories revolved around her time teaching at Saint Augustine’s College in Raleigh, N.C., and her students.
Joan’s quick wit and love of entertaining sowed the soil for the numerous friends she gained as she and her family moved around the country. She was an avid reader, bridge player, and traveled the world extensively. Above all, Joan loved time spent with those she held most dear. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Madeksza, and an older sister Lois Lee Beier. Joan is survived by her daughter, Michele Madeksza and her husband Glenn Krasker of Rehoboth Beach; her sons: Matthew Madeksza and his wife Cindy Ran of Wayne, Pa., and Todd Madeksza and his wife Terry of Flagstaff, Ariz.; her grandchildren: Maya Krasker of Dover, Zachary and Alex Madeksza of Wayne, and Charlie and Reagan Madeksza of Flagstaff; and her dear friend Wes Pippert of Arlington, Va.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Joan's favorite charities, The Rehoboth Beach Film Society, 17701 Dartmouth Dr., Lewes, DE 19958.
A memorial service will be held Friday, July 9, at 11 a.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m.
Please visit Joan’s Life Memorial Webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
