Madeline Parisi

.Native Islander, Madeline Frary Seeger Parisi, passed away in her home on the early morning of December 15, 2021, at the age of 93. Born in West Brighton, on December 21, 1927, Madeline was the youngest of two children, born to Margaret & Harold Seeger. Madeline moved to Tompkinsville in 1938, attending Curtis High School, serving as Captain of the intramural basketball team, as well as an active member of Arista National Honor Society. After graduating with the Belding award for Bookkeeping in 1945, she began her career as a secretary, working for U. S. Casualty Co. (Manhattan), Ansbacher-Siegle Corp. (Rosebank), Brooklyn Cooperage Company, and finishing with The American Sugar Refining Company (Domino) in Manhattan. Over the course of thirteen years at Domino, she was elevated to financial analyst, being the only woman in her department earning a man’s salary.

After relocating to Westerleigh, Madeline met her late husband Louis J. Parisi while bowling during a Saturday night mixed league. They were married on November 7, 1957 and moved to New Brighton in 1960 settling on Westervelt Avenue. As a stay at home Mom, Madeline was very active in the PTA’s at both P.S. 16 and at Morris Intermediate School, serving as Recording Secretary. After her husband retired, Madeline decided to return to the workforce as a school crossing guard with the New York City Police Department at Public School 31 on Crescent Avenue.

A devoted Christian, Madeline served the Lord her whole life. Originally attending Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church with her late sister, Geraldine (Gere) Nelson, Madeline was a member of the Youth Fellowship and the Wesleyan Service Guild, eventually a Sunday School teacher. After moving to New Brighton, Madeline and her children began attending Brighton Heights Reformed Church. Madeline was very active at BHRC, serving as a Sunday School teacher and treasurer, and was elected to Consistory as both a deacon and elder. After the church burned down in 1996, she was recording secretary of BHRC II Building Committee. Madeline also served on the Pastoral Search, Stained Glass, Worship and Landscaping Committees.

Madeline has many talents as well. She enjoyed sewing, making jelly, baking, making floral arrangements, and gardening. Having a green thumb, she volunteered her time to maintain the gardens around the perimeter of BHRC. Family gatherings were a priority in Madeline’s life. Getting together with her husband’s extended family several times a year, as well as gathering with her children, and grandchildren brought her joy. Madeline is survived by her three children, Jill Martin (Anthony, Sr.), Louis Jr. (Elaine), Neal Sr. (Jeanine), and five grandchildren, Louis III, Kristie, Anthony Jr., Jeffrey, Neal Jr. Visitation will be held at Harmon Funeral Home, 571 Forest Avenue, on Saturday, December 18th, and Sunday, December 19th, 2PM-4PM, 7PM-9PM. A funeral service is scheduled for 10AM on Monday, December 20th at the funeral home, with burial following at Moravian Cemetery.