Madeline Jarka, 69

BETHANY BEACH - Madeline Jarka of Bethany Beach, formerly of Bellerose Village, Long Island, N.Y., passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, Friday, Sept. 21, 2007. She was 69.

Madeline was a 1995 graduate of Empire State College.

She retired in 1998 from the New York State Hospital of Mental Health after 12 years of service.

Madeline and her husband then moved to the Bethany Beach area and became very active in many civic groups and organizations.

She was a member of the St. Ann"s Catholic Church, prefect of St. Ann"s Sodality, and also a member of the Red Hats, Best of the West and a number of quilting groups.

Madeline was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, the Blood Bank, the Bethany Beach Library and St. Ann"s Bazaar.

She is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Peter Jarka; five children, Jeffrey Jarka and his wife Theresa of Western Springs, Ill., Timothy Jarka and his wife Sheila of Canton, Conn., Jennifer Dekker and her husband David of Weston, Conn., Kenneth Jarka and his wife Avanel of New London, Conn., and Eugene Jarka and his wife Stacy of Charlotte, N.C.; a sister, Marilyn D"Amato of Viera, Fla.; and 12 grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Ann"s Catholic Church, Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach. Friends and family may call Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, West Avenue, Ocean View.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Madeline"s name to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947; or Tunnell Cancer Center, 18941 John J. Williams Highway, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.