Madalen Marie Sugrue

Madelan M. Sugrue passed away on January 23, 2026. Born Madalen Marie to Bernard and Lena Sauber on August 22, 1930. She is pre-deceased by her two older and two younger brothers.

Raised in Gold Creek she attended elementary school there and graduated high school at Sacred Heart Academy in Missoula. She received her bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Providence (College of Great Falls at the time). Madalen then began her teaching career in Libby teaching second grade while continuing her own education, receiving her master’s degree from the University of Montana and her Doctorate in Education from Columbia University in New York City.

Her passion of 67 years was teaching special education and primary grades in Montana, California, and Washington, including 25 summers in Bellingham teaching teachers. Traveling to attend and teach at professional conferences made her life quite interesting. This included much of the United States, 18 countries, and a blessing by Pope Pius X in Vatican City. During these summer travels, she not only presented workshops in Special and Regular Education training programs, but she also always found time to extend her days to work with local students since they attended year-round schools. She kept in touch with many of these students and fellow teachers well after her retirement in 2017.

Madalen married Clayton Burt in 1964, who died in 1982. She married Jack Sugrue in 1984, partners in a happy life together until his death in 1995. Madalen enjoyed her home in Anaconda in which her extended family included her involvement as a member of Anaconda Catholic Community.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30am, Monday, February 2, 2026, at Holy Family Church, 217 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Anaconda. Committal Rite will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. A luncheon will be held back at the church in the Hunthausen Center.

Memorials in honor of Madalen are suggested to Discovery House, 65 Sheep Gulch Rd., Anaconda, MT 59711.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Crematory have been privileged to care for Madalen and her family.