Obituary of Cecily A. Mader

Cecily A. Mader, daughter of the late Dr. & Mrs. V. O. Mader of Halifax, Nova Scotia and widow of the late James C. Oscarson, has died two weeks prior to her 92nd birthday. Cecily was predeceased by her oldest son, Gregory Becker. She is survived by her sister Madeleine Chisholm of Nanaimo, B.C., Canada and three children, Mark Becker (Nicole) of Danville, CA, John Becker (Monique) of Toulouse, France and Anne Katy Becker (Mark Giarratana) of Glastonbury, Ct and seven beloved grandchildren - Greg and Ryan, Owen and Ellie, Chloe and Clementine, Christine, Isabel and Shannon, and three beloved great-grandchildren, Rita, Greggie & Samantha. Educated in Halifax and Montreal schools, Cecily obtained a degree in psychology from Connecticut College and later went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Southern Connecticut State University. Always at heart a Canadian, Cecily loved the ocean, and was very active in sailing as a young woman, winning regattas at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron while in her teens. She spent countless hours sunbathing, socializing, and swimming at East Wharf Beach in Madison on her weekends. Cecily was known by her grandchildren to impulsively jump in the Long Island Sound for a quick swim, and participated in the Penguin Plunge while in her 80’s. She worked as a librarian in the Connecticut Department of Corrections until retirement. She had an intense love of books, reading, sharing and gifting them her whole life. Very generous, Cecily donated to many charitable causes throughout her life. She enjoyed going to the movies, attending the opera and ballet, listening to classical music, collecting all manner of cookbooks and cooking, and everything to do with plants. She adopted many cats (or was adopted by, she might say) over the years. She studied Tai Chi and became a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher in her 70s (“hardest thing I ever did”). Cecily was a long-term member and acolyte of Christ Church in New Haven, Ct, where her funeral and burial will be at a later date this year. Rest In Peace Mom, we love you. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to www.ChristChurchNH.org