Madeleine Joy Westfall

Summerville - Madeleine Joy Westfall, 98, of Summerville, SC, passed away on July 14, 2022. She was the widow of Col. William Bryan Westfall, USAF. Madeleine was born in St. Louis, MO, on July 14, 1924, the daughter of George Saul Dennis and Margaret Goodman Dennis. Her family moved to Long Beach, CA, in 1929. 

After graduating in 1941 from Technical High School in Long Beach, Madeleine began working for the war effort. While tabulating weights and loads for the Army Air Corps, she met a young pilot, Bill Westfall, who had served as a pilot flying "the Hump" in the China-Burma-India theater. Bill and Madeleine married February 4, 1946. For the remaining years of Bill's long military career, Madeleine to explore life in Saudi Arabia, Greece, and many US locations. During these years, Madeleine supported her husband's career, developed strong friendships, raised her children, traveled widely, and enjoyed playing bridge and golf. 

Madeleine and Bill retired to Charleston, SC, in 1969. Here they enjoyed golfing at Charleston AFB, Shadowmoss Country Club, Country Club of Charleston, and Miler Country Club in Summerville. Her many golf and bridge friends brought Madeleine much happiness. After Col. Westfall's death in 2006, these friends offered much support and encouragement. Friends in Ashborough East, at Summerville Estates, and the caregivers of Harmony at Westcott gave much kindness and assistance during Madeleine's later years. 

Madeleine is survived by her three children, Margaret Eileen Stuecklin-Westfall (Andreas), of Liestal, Switzerland; Karen Colleen Westfall Shaw, of Greeley, CO; and William R. Westfall (Rebecca), of Hendersonville, NC. Her nine grandchildren brought true joy: Stephan Paul Stuecklin-Wightman (Janet) of Emmenbruecke, Switzerland; Cornelia Joy Fluri-Stuecklin (Tobias), of Rothrist, Switzerland; Philipp Andreas Stuecklin-Gerreiro (Ana) of Zurich, Switzerland; David Bryan Shaw (Catherine) of San Francisco, CA; Stephanie Dawn Shaw Johnson (Kevin), of Colorado Springs, CO ; Jennifer Joy Shaw Smith (Adam), of Bend, OR; Ashley Elizabeth Shaw Jenkins (Gabe), of Colorado Springs, CO; Sarah Livingston Westfall Brown (David), of Roc SC; William Paul Westfall (Theresa), of Ladson, SC. Realizing that these nine grandchildren had each earned degrees, married, and were bringing up her twenty-five great-grandchildren was a fact that always brought an incredulous smile to Madeleine's face. 

Burial and a private family memorial service will be at Beaufort National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.