- Date Of Birth: August 17, 1926
- Date Of Death: August 9, 2019
- State: Colorado
Madonna Cecilia Ste. Croix was born in North Bay, Ontario, Canada on August 17, 1926. She was the youngest child of William and Katherine Robinson nee: LaFrance. After her birth, the family moved to Kapuskasing, where her father worked with the Lands and Forest Department with the Provincial Government of Ontario. Madonna often reminisced about the happy memories she shared with her parents and older siblings: Joe, John, Eleanor, Francis, and Louise. Of her most precious memories, Madonna often regaled of the times their home was full of friends, family, and neighbors, as she sat among her siblings on the staircase and watched as their father played the fiddle while the adults sang and danced in the living room.
Madonna was twelve years old when she lost her loving mother, Kate, due to complications in surgery. Her father remarried and raised four more children: twins Frank and Winston, Marie, and Helen Jean.
When Madonna finished high school, she worked at the paper mill in Kapuskasing, occasionally as a French interpreter. While working at the Mill, she met a young man named Joseph Hermel “Chic” Ste. Croix. These became exciting times in Kap. Lots of friends, parties, golf, and lots of snow! Chic was very active with the Papermakers Union and later became President of the Local. Chic and Madonna married on June 30, 1948. In 1955, they adopted their son, whom they named Kevin Michael. Two years later in 1957, they adopted their daughter, naming her Nancy Ellen.
The family moved to Toronto in 1960, where Chic worked with an insurance broker. The healthcare knowledge and skills he acquired in the three years he was at the insurance brokerage propelled his career towards joining the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers International Union. The Union hired him in 1963 and moved the family to Denver, Colorado, where many family members still reside. Madonna had a career of 16 years working in the Treasury Department for the City and County of Denver. She developed many close relationships with coworkers that led to life-long friendships while working at the City and County of Denver. She kept in contact with Bonnie and her family, as well as a group of retirees that met for lunch, whom Madonna referred to as the “Old Farts Club.”
Chic and Madonna developed great relationships with their neighbors over the years while living in Southwest Denver. After Chic’s death in 1998, Madonna devoted her time and energy into making home improvements. She relied heavily on the talented expertise of her neighbors to help her with this undertaking. She actively recruited Ray, Max, Donna, Grace, Steve, Ron, and Trish to help with the inspiration, consultation, planning, demo, and construction of these projects. As a result of their hard work, Madonna was able to create the beautiful home she would admire for many years to come.
Madonna has four grandchildren: Sarah & Kevin Hawkins, Kathryn “Katie” & Janelle St. Croix. Her four great-grandchildren: Sarah’s twins Cale and Kaya Kimball in San Diego, Kevin’s son Johnny Hawkins in Prescott, and Macie Armour in Littleton, are blessed to have shared a part of their childhood with their great-grandmother.
She was welcoming of all, and enjoyed her time with her extended family. She shared special bonds and happy memories with Tammie, Willard, Vicki, Tabor, Jubal, Serenity, Michelle, Saunn, Symm, and Billie throughout her life. Madonna exemplified unconditional love for all. She was very generous with her time and money, and especially enjoyed cooking for family and friends.
