Madge Fairweather Obituary (1918 - 2015)

Madge Stepp Fairweather Obituary Madge Stepp Fairweather died peacefully in her sleep the morning of January 29, 2015 at her home in Lacey Spring, VA. She was born in Southam, ND on September 30, 1918, the daughter of Albert and Anna Bowman Stepp. May 28, 1942 she married Duane Fairweather, Sr., who died in 2011 after a marriage of 69 years. Madge worked as a government inspector during WWII while Duane was overseas. She later became a medical transcriber. She moved to Virginia in 1958 and became known for her expert seamstress skills. She did alterations for Alfred Ney's, Joseph Ney's, J C Penny's, and Leggetts. She also made custom draperies and countless garments from wedding gowns to doll clothes. Madge also became interested in her genealogy in later years. She was described by a family biographer as "the newly discovered relative who made the difficult days of genealogy research worthwhile, she was an extraordinary ordinary person.". She was a founding member of Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church in Lacey Spring. Survivors include her children, Karen Branner (Bill) of Fulks Run; Duane, Jr. (Sarah Liptrap) of Lacey Spring; Vicki Whetsel (Randy) of Broadway; Douglas (Ruth Bishop) of Concord, NC; and, Bobby (Brenda Carr) of Lacey Spring. She leaves nine grandchildren: Dawn Lorenzen, Eric Branner (Alyson Scadron-Wattles), Stephanie Kelly (Elling), Katrina Braford (Brad), Chad Whetsel, Wendi Pannell (Kevin), Hannah Fairweather, Jill Enslen (Nathan), and, Stuart Fairweather (Sarah Harrison). She had 19 great-grandchildren: Adam and Ben Mahaffey, Clara Lorenzen, Edie and Huxley Branner, Duane Michael and Annabelle Kelley, JD and Taylor Braford, Sierra and Canyon Whetsel, Logan, Colton, and Weylyn Pannell, Kristen, Autumn, and Gabrielle Enslen, and Hunter and Brock Fairweather. Madge is also survived by siblings Gail Atchison and Geraldine Carr of Linville, VA, Norma Litts of East Stroudsburg, PA, and, Ike Stepp of Singers Glen, VA. She was predeceased by siblings Kathryn McMenomy, Robert Stepp, Esther Doebling, Jessie Stepp, Jacquelyn Obenshine, and Albert Stepp, Jr. and great granddaughter Alexis Enslen. The Fairweather family expresses its gratitude to Duane, Jr. (Skip) who has been his parents' primary caregiver for 11 years. Skip has been ever patient, kind, and loving through difficult days. We thank also his wife Sarah for her sacrifices and support. A memorial service with visitation following will be at Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church on Monday, February 2, 2015 at 11:00 o'clock. The family will receive friends following the memorial service. The body was cremated. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.McMullenfh.com.