Madolin Wells

Madolin Mae Littlewood Wells died unexpectedly in Missoula, Montana at the age of 97, on November 26, 2025. She was born in her parent’s home in Morris, New York on December 8th, 1927. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, William (Bill) Wells.  

Madolin grew up on the family dairy farm, on the edge of Morris, with her parents Alton and Florence Littlewood, her brother Dwight, and dozens of extended family in the area. She graduated from Keuka College in 1949 and was a beloved history teacher in area high schools for numerous years. She delighted in staying in touch with many of her students for the rest of her life.  

She and Bill married July1, 1950 in Morris. They had travelled the country extensively before deciding to move to Missoula in 1961. Madolin left teaching and devoted her time to raising her family. For most of his working life Bill worked remotely, leaving early Monday morning and returning late Friday. While Dad was an attentive and involved parent when he was

home, this left Mom with the sometimes-challenging task of raising two very active, somewhat impish, and occasionally troublesome sons and a sweet, dutiful and responsible daughter as a lone parent during the work week, a task willingly and lovingly performed.  

Madolin and Bill shared a love of adventure and travel, crisscrossing the country and beyond, to the Amazon, Mexico, and many trips to Canada. They drove the Alcan to Alaska many times, the last when they were in their 80’s. Often they travelled with friends or family, and everywhere they went they visited old friends and made new ones.

Time was split between the family home (the “ranch”, as it was lovingly called as a nod to the handful of cows and horses they had) outside of Missoula, and the cabin at Georgetown Lake.  

They lived at the cabin every summer for over 50 years, from last day of school to the start, and longer after the kids were grown. That tiny cabin was filled and over-filled with joy and company. Uncle Franz would fly out every summer and live with them, and friends and relatives would visit from “back east” and around the country. Madolin always made sure everyone was welcome and there was room for all.

Highlights of life in Missoula were the family dinners. Every special occasion was packed with their children, children’s girlfriends/boyfriends (eventually spouses), grandchildren, and then the grandchildren’s girlfriends/boyfriends (eventual spouses), friends, and the occasional acquaintances or holiday orphan who had no place else to go. There was always room for more at Madolin’s table. The littlest grandchildren were pinned to the far wall and had to crawl under the table to get to their seats, and the thickest adults were wedged between the table and refrigerator.  

Madolin’s son Ed hosted family dinners at his restaurant on Madolin’s birthday for decades. It was at one of these gatherings Bill, typically fairly loquacious, toasted Madolin, saying “This (indicating the joy and togetherness and family), this, is all due to you”. It is a great and enduring gift that Madolin gave her family. That sense of Family. We were blessed to have had the opportunity to come together one last time at the Depot last spring.  

Family is what mattered most to Madolin. She made sure that her children had the opportunity to get to know their relatives back east, most of the continent away. No small thing 60 years ago. Perhaps her greatest joy, late in life, was spending time with, and getting to know, her great-grandchildren Penelope, Gwendolyn and Felix.

After Bill’s passing, Madolin lived independently at her apartment at Clark Fork Riverside. The kindness and support of the caring staff and her wonderful friends made it “home”.

Throughout her life, right up to the end, and especially in the face of any adversity, any challenge, Madolin chose to be happy, chose to be resilient, and chose to spread joy. Perhaps that is the greatest gift she gave her family, the example of a life well lived.

Madolin’s survivors include Ed, her oldest and shortest son (wife Evonne), their children Robert Jay (RJ) (daughter Penelope) and Jackie (Vince). Her youngest and tallest son John, (wife Leslie), their son Jay (Annika) and their son Felix. Her daughter Audrey (husband Ken, her favorite son-in-law), their children Nadine (Sandro), Sarah (Troy), Corey (Elizabeth) and their daughter Gwendolyn, as well as dozens of nephews, nieces, cousins, and other kin “back east” and scattered across the country.    

Madolin was interned at Missoula City Cemetery next to her husband at a private family ceremony on December 8, 2025, on what would have been her 98th birthday. A family service is planned for next summer when her family can gather once again. Madolin’s family will forever be grateful for the compassion and care Madolin received at Riverside Health and from Partners Hospice.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to Make-A-Wish Foundation at ht

tps://wish.org/.