Madeline Senchak

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Madeline Senchak, beloved wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, who passed on December 22, 2025. Madeline was a compassionate spirit whose warmth, kindness and love touched the lives of all who knew her.

"Always in motion" may be one of the best ways to describe her. A youthful persona with endless energy focused on a multitude of passions ranging from her Italian legacy recipes (always with a switch up) passed down by her mother, Lucy; beautifully painted ceramic objects reflecting life and holiday celebrations; needlepoint; knitting; line dancing, and (during Covid) 1000 piece puzzles (close to 20) were assembled and gifted. Most importantly, she was a people-person who could enter an elevator of muted strangers and before her floor bell dinged - she would have started a dialogue and her genuine kindness would leave smiles on those she met. She loved the holidays and especially birthdays. Not so much her own, but those of others. Always looking to bring people together in celebration whether it be reunions/gatherings with her large Italian "D'Amato" family, her beloved Passaic Valley High School Class of 1946 (still organizing small gatherings into this past year), tea with close "women friends" in Fairfield, the Red Hatters, the 55 and Older Club, and a host of others activities and organizations to which she belonged over the years.

At 97 years old, Madeline and her beloved husband of over 72 years of marriage, Melvin still lived in their first home in Fairfield. In partnership for over 80 years, Madeline and "Dabby" met at Passaic Valley High School. Both from immigrant backgrounds - she was from an Italian, Catholic family from Totowa Borough and he was from a Ukrainian family in Little Falls. They knew each other in passing, but It wasn't until the Fall of their senior year when they met at the Totowa Boro Fire House's weekly square dancing they took notice of one another. Senior year flew by . . . it was the end of WWII, Passaic Valley Girls Show in the Spring and although they went with others to the Prom, most of their time and attention at Frank Daily's Meadowbrook in Cedar Grove was on each other.

After graduation, they continued their courtship over the course of the next 7 years. Madeline went to work as a secretary and administrative assistant in an advertising company and a bank. Melvin started work at a bank and then joined the Army. The GI Bill afforded him the opportunity to go to Rutgers for his BA and MBA. They married after he got his undergrad degree . . . and it was when he was almost finished with his MBA that they had their first child, Marlisa. Soon thereafter, they moved to a new sprawling "suburban" community - Fairfield - where they had a second child, Michael and have lived ever since. The best neighbors and community they could have ever hoped for . . . and the place where they nurtured their family and lived a very active and happy life.

Her legacy will live on in the heart of her beloved husband Melvin Senchak, her daughter, Marlisa and her husband Tom Delaney, her son, Michael and his wife, Meri Greenberg Senchak, and her five grandchildren of whom she adored, Mara Senchak, Aidan Delaney, Jake Senchak, Bryce Delaney (and her fiancé Frederick Meagher) and Calah Delaney, In addition, a host of family - cousins, nieces, nephews - and decades of friends.

Madeline will be deeply missed. It was hard not to feel her kindness and caring when you met her. Her spirit will forever be a part of the countless memories she created with her loved ones and those around her. We will be forever grateful for the amount of time we had to share with her.

Visitation will be Sunday, December 28 from 1 PM. to 4 PM followed by a short service at the Ippolito-Stellato Funeral Home, 7 Two Bridges Rd., Fairfield, where family and friends will gather to honor her remarkable life and the love she shared with so many.

In lieu of flowers, Madeline requested that donations be sent to:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - St Jude's Madeline and Melvin Senchak Memorial Fund
*If you would prefer your name and donation be given anonymously - please check the appropriate boxes at the BOTTOM of the page in the "Donor Recognition" section.