Madeline Viaene

Madeline Viaene (nee Sammut) (September 22, 1930 – June 25, 2024) Born in Detroit, Michigan, Madeline (at the age of 3) and her family left the US for an extended vacation on the island of Malta, to visit relatives and friends. As the Italian war and later World War II broke out, it became less safe for them to return to the US, and they became “stuck” in Malta, which was a strategic military location. After surviving bombings and severe rationing (to say nothing about sneak attacks by an aunt with lizards!), the family returned to the United States on July 26, 1947. After working at Charm’s Cafeteria and J. L. Hudson’s Department Store (doing alterations) she ultimately found her way to sewing interiors at Ford Motor Company. Though born in the US, Madeline spoke Maltese most of her childhood (ages 3 – 16), and eventually learned English through sheer strength of will and dedication to absorb what she could learn from soldiers during the war, Ford factory workers, radio, and television (especially soap operas). Madeline was a devout Catholic who loved her family more than anything and instilled that value in her own children. She raised four children (Denise, Lionel Jr., Anna, and Jeffery) with unconditional love, patience, and understanding, and retired from Ford in 1993, after 35 years. Madeline was always known for her incredible knitting skills, beautiful rose gardens, homemade soups, hard work, gentle kindness, and sense of humor. Known as Madeline, Mud-lin (to some), Grandma and Nanna (to others), and Buznanna (Maltese for great grandmother), she always had time for her grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Madeline was preceded in death by her parents Louis and Phyllis Sammut; husband Lionel Cornelius Viaene; brothers George and Alfred Sammut; and sister Mary Melody. She is survived by siblings: Josephine Fenech, Charlie Sammut, Dolores Pace, Connie Barber, and Helen Tomaszewski; her children: Denise (Keith) MacBride, Lionel (Barbara) Viaene Jr., Anna (Donald) Bushbaker, Jeffery (Sharlene) Viaene; grandchildren: Michael (Gayle) MacBride, Ryan (Kelly) MacBride, Sean (Brooke) MacBride, Justin (Kaylee) Viaene, Alyse (Elias) Vasquez, Kaitlyn Bushbaker (Ricky Robbins), Dana (Omar) Qadah, Brendan Bushbaker, Ashleigh Viaene, Ethan Viaene, and Owen Viaene; great grandchildren: Dylan, Parker, Addison, Keegan, Madelyn, Owen, Finley, Ford, Annabelle, Jace, Jeremy, Nyelie, Elias, Isaac, and Julian. After almost 94 years on this earth, many fond memories and adventures, Madeline rests easily without pain. We all love her and miss her very much. Family and friends may visit from 1:00 P.M. until the time of service at 3:45 P.M. on Monday July 1, 2024 at Robison-Bahnmiller Funeral Home. Deacon Christian Salata will officiate. Dinner to follow, beginning at 5:00 pm Saline American Legion Hall 320 W. Michigan Avenue, Saline. Her final resting place will be at St. Hedwig Cemetery, Dearborn Heights, MI. To sign Madeline’s guestbook, to leave a memory, or for directions, please visit www.rbfhsaline.com

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Madeline Viaene

September 22, 1930 - June 25, 2024