Obituary of Madeline Ferrara

Madeline “Maddie” Ferrara, 100, passed away surrounded by her loving family on November 13, 2021. 

Originally from New York, Maddie attended the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, an acclaimed fashion and architectural school. She earned her Associates degree in Fashion Design and went on to work for the Singer Pattern Company in Manhattan. A natural at sewing, Maddie made hundreds of patterns for Singer. She also made and designed clothes, tailoring clothes up until five years ago. When she moved to St Pete in 1973, she worked for John Baldwin, an upscale boutique shop.  

Maddie became part of the Welcome Wagon in Snell Isle years ago, and was an active member of the Garden Club, who had a green thumb and loved to garden. She was also active in the Snell Isle Civic Association and was the driving force behind getting the “Welcome to Snell Isle” sign by the bridge.   

Maddie enjoyed being very active throughout her life. She loved to play tennis up until the age of 89, 4-5 times a week for an hour. Tennis was a sport that she enjoyed as a child and she stuck with it. Another pastime that Maddie enjoyed was dancing. She liked dancing at the Colosseum with her husband. She loved ballroom dancing, the cha-cha, and the foxtrot.  

Maddie was always fun to be around, and her family and all of their traditions were always near and dear to her heart. Maddie loved Christmas Eve and the Seven Fishes, going all out with the Christmas tree, holiday lights, fancy linens, and good China. Easter is another holiday that she truly enjoyed.  

She was married to her husband, John, a police captain in the Bronx in New York City, who passed away at the age of 92. Maddie is also preceded in passing by her son, Greg Ferrara. 

She is survived by her daughters, Melanie and Elissa Ferrara; son-in-law, Dory Winkelman; grandchildren, John, Richard, Michael, Gregory (Sousie), and Alora; and her great grandchild, Emma. Maddie was a loving mother, grandmother and friend and will be greatly missed.