Madeline (Sampson) Bangs

Madeline S. Bangs, 93 of Concord passed away peacefully on August 14, 2018 surrounded by her family. She was the devoted wife of the late Robert Bangs. Madeline was born in Newton on November 30, 1924 the daughter of the late Placid and Sarah (Fougere) Sampson.

She was educated in Newton Schools and graduated from Newton High School with the Class of 1942. Madeline went to work at Raytheon Corporation where she worked for the inventors of the microwave oven. She met Robert Bangs and they were married on August 5, 1945. They settled in Concord where they raised their family. Madeline was drawn to animals, always having collies and caring for many others. Many an animal was nursed back to life in her hands.

The couple had 4 children and in addition to her motherly duties, Madeline was always cooking, gardening, baking pies and welcoming friends and neighbors to her home where her trademark was to feed them. Her kitchen was always filled with homemade food, as she was an extraordinary cook. People were drawn to Madeline for her genuine warmth and maternal ways; baking pies, knitting warm hats, anything she could do for relatives, friends, babies and neighbors she did happily and generously. Madeline and Robert made many trips to her family's origins in Nova Scotia. Those trips were among the happiest times of her life.

Madeline was a "cause" person, frequently calling and writing to her elected officials to state her mind and then some. She had a particular love and command of the English language and considered herself to be an expert on the subject. Madeline's love of nature, the land, plants and the outdoors was second only to her love of her family and friends. For many years, she had extensive vegetable and flower gardens.

During the last several years of her life, she attended the Concord Cooperative Elder Day Services 3 to 4 days a week, loving every day there among some old and new friends and was a participant in all of the activities. She was able to attend all of the family celebrations until her last days.

Madeline was given the gift of life and lived it to the fullest every day. She was surrounded by her family at the time of her death and, although her eldest daughter, Karen lives in Nevada and was unable to make the trip out, they spoke every day on the phone. Madeline drew great solace and daily joy from their calls.

She was the loving mother of, Karen Brecht and her husband Joe of Mesquite, NV, Beverly Bangs of Harwich, MA, Lorraine Bangs of Maynard, MA and Linda Cantillon and her husband Richard of Littleton, MA. Adored grandmother of Paul Benham and wife Kim of Leominster, Jill Porfino and husband Gino of Lunenburg, Andrea and James Kelsey of Harwich and Richard Cantillon III of Littleton. She was the cherished great-grandmother of Nicholas and Evan Benham, Elyse and Jocelyn Porfino and Michael R. Cantillon and one on the way.Madeline's many nieces, nephews, great-neices/nephews were as dear to her as her own children. In addition to her husband Robert, she is predeceased by her siblings Joseph Sampson, Florence Kevorkian, A. Paul Sampson and J. Ernest Sampson.

Family and friends will gather to remember Madeline on Tuesday, August 28, from 4 to 7 in the Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap St., Concord.

Donations may be made to:
Buddy Dog Humane Society
P.O. Box 296
Sudbury, MA 01776
or to a charity of your choice.