Davida G. Madden

Davida G. Madden, loving mother and grandmother of Massachusetts and Maryland, passed away at home with loved ones by her side on May 15, 2026. She was 94 years old.

Davida was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on May 18, 1931, to Myron and Claire Gordon. She attended the Foote School, followed by Duke University and Tufts University. In 1952 Davida married the late Arthur J. Garceau, a physician in Norwell, Massachusetts. Together they raised three children, Gilbert Garceau, Pamela Sibbald, and Dorothy Garceau.

A skilled businesswoman, Davida worked for Jack Conway Company as a real estate broker. Davida also was an avid gardener who grew vegetables, herbs, flowers, and ornamental trees. She transformed yards with bright poppies, blue irises, and yellow sunflowers. She volunteered at the Cylburn Arboretum In Baltimore, Maryland, caring for their horticultural displays. Davida also was an active member of the Church Hill Methodist Church, volunteering to organize the plant sale fundraiser and prepping potatoes for a homeless shelter.

Davida also loved cooking for her family. "You can never have too much garlic, "she would say, stirring a pot of homemade spaghetti sauce. Her son-in-law Ron loved her pecan pie.

With family and close friends, Davida believed that, "We help each other through the big things and cherish together the little things." Davida was blessed with five grandchildren whom she loved very much: Gordon, Diana, Derrick, Michelle, and Michael.

Davida also joined a support group of widows known as the WANA's (We Are Not Alone). She read extensively, belonged to two book clubs, and loved the Norwell Public Library. Davida especially enjoyed the Norwell Gardening Club, which tends the flower plantings in Norwell Center.

After her marriage to Arthur Garceau ended, Davida married the late Robert Madden of Baltimore, Maryland. Robert worked as a physicist for the National Security Agency (NSA). Davida loved her stepdaughters Madeleine and Mary Madden of Maryland.

Davida’s survivors include her beloved brother, A. Reynolds Gordon (Janet), her son, Gilbert Garceau (Simone), daughter Pamela Sibbald (Douglas), and daughter Dorothy Garceau (Bear Stauss), as well as her grandchildren, Gordon Sibbbald (Jessica), Diana Sibbald (Christopher), Derrick Sibbald, Michelle Garceau (Kris), and Michael Garceau (Angelica). Davida was blessed with three great-grandchildren, Carter Sibbald, Cielly Garceau, and Kaiya Garceau. Davida's beloved cousins include Ann, Alene, and Johnny.

Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, May 21 from 4pm to 6pm at McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 30 Central St., Norwell, MA 02061.

Her memorial, a Celebration of Life, will be held at Cushing Hall (the Norwell Town Hall) at Norwell Center from 1pm to 3:30pm on Monday, June 1, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars www.vfw.org, the Massachusetts Humane Society masshumane.org, Norwell Gardening Club gcfm.org/norwell-garden-club or the Norwell Public Library norwellpubliclibrary.org