Obituary

Madeline Mildred (Fairbanks) Ledin, 99, of Rockland passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 27, 2025.

Madeline was born in Framingham on January 27, 1926. The daughter of the late Alfred and Madeline (Martin) Fairbanks. She was raised in Canton and attended Canton Schools.

Madeline was a direct descendent of the Fairbanks House, it is located in Dedham, MA. The house was built in 1636 and is the oldest wooden frame home in America.

Madeline worked many years for New England Art as a proof reader. She also had many other talents and was very artistic herself. She was a seamstress, as well as a doll maker. She was known for curating Raggedy Ann and Annie dolls. One of Madeline's favorite things to do was traveling, she traveled all over.

Madeline is survived by her children; Barry R. Ledin and his wife Marilyn of Lakeville, Charlene Westcott of Rockland, Sharon Perkins of Pembroke, Bonnie Halunen of Carver, and Edward A. Ledin of Rockland. She was the loving grandmother to 12 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Her daughter in law Teresa Ledin. She is also survived by her brother Arthur Fairbanks and by many nieces and nephews.

Madeline is predeceased in death by her beloved husband, Edward Ledin and her son Carl Ledin.

Throughout Madeline's life she silently helped many. She could stretch a meal to feed anyone that showed up at our door which was often. Listed are her biological family, not listed are the many that called her their second mother that shared a strong bond with her. She volunteered whenever she heard of things she could do to help, knitting bandages for the church to send to other countries. Performing patterning exercises on local children with cerebral palsy. She taught all of us that helping others was not something you had to think about it was something that you do. She had many elderly friends that counted on her to send one of her children to run an errand or help out with yard or housework. She never talked about who needed her help but her generosity was evident as many kids she helped came often to visit her as she grew older always bringing stories of how much she had helped them when they needed anything.

Family and friends are invited to attend Madeline's visiting hours on Tuesday, December 2nd from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, December 3rd at 9:00 AM at the Holy Family Church, Rockland, A burial will immediately follow at Spring Lake Cemetery, Rockland.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to South Shore Health or the Make a Wish Foundation.