Obituary
Guest Book
1925
2013
On Saturday, January 12, two days after her 88th birthday, Madeleine G. Fishkin, of Arlington Virginia died peacefully in her apartment, surrounded by her family. Greatly beloved by all, she left her 3 children, Lee John Fishkin (Karen) of Charlotte, N.C.; Joelle Fishkin (Stephen Turchen); Daniel Fishkin (Olympia Derosa) and 3 grandchildren, Emily Fishkin, Alissa Turchen and Alex Fishkin. Sons Terry D. Fishkin died in 1972 and Michael P. Fishkin died in 2011. Her husband of 54 years, Colonel Leon J. Fishkin, died in 2000. Born in Hasparren, France (Pays Basque), Madeleine also left extensive family members in France and Switzerland, who have maintained contact with her since she moved to the United States in 1946 as a World War II war bride. Madeleine made a great career of her extensive language skills, spending many years as a translator/interpreter. Her professional languages were French, Spanish and English, but she also studied and spoke Greek, Latin, German and some Russian. Madeleine ended her career as the department head of the French Translation Services at Intelsat, which gave her the opportunity to travel the world even more extensively than she had already done as a military wife. Madeleine was an incredibly loving woman to all who knew her; she was also an intellectual, a humorist, a great conversationalist, a lover of music and the arts, a connoisseur of wine, and a woman of great courage. She was an inspiration to us all. The family invites you to remember her on Monday, January 21 at Murphy Funeral Home on Wilson Blvd, Arlington. Visitation 10:30-11:30, service 11:30-12:30 followed by a reception. Burial at Arlington Cemetery will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Operation Smile or to SOME in Washington DC.
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3 Entries
January 18, 2013
Dear Fishkin family,
We lived across the street from you in Falls Church in the 50's and now share a mutual friend in Dorothy Shields. My Mom, Virginia Andersen (now 94!), kept up sporadically with Madeleine. Just this past Christmas she showed me a rosary that Madeleine's mother had brought her from France. I was sorry to hear of her passing and know she was a person of many accomplishments. My Mother joins me in sending condolences, knowing you will miss her.
Chris Andersen
January 17, 2013
Cathy Collins
To: Joelle and all of the Fishkin family; may I extend my deepest condolence in the passing of your Mother. This is a great picture of happier days I'm sure. It leaves behind a great memory of better, healthier days gone by. A smiling face, sincere eyes and warm thoughts that will linger in your minds forever. Embrace them. I have really enjoyed listening to you speak French to your Mom over the phone in the last few years! A beautiful language for a beautiful person. My prayers go with you all! May she rest in peace.
January 17, 2013
Patricia Acheson
Oh my, I am so sorry to learn of Madeleine's death. My mother, Pat Beckford, and Madeleine were the best of friends at the Jefferson. They were opposites in many ways but brought out the best in each other. My mother died 3 years ago and Madeleine was a very great comfort to me and my family. We all loved Madeleine dearly and will miss her so much.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Fondly,
Patsy Beckford Acheson
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