It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Madeleine Mary DeLittle, who died peacefully surrounded by her family on January 16th 2024 at the age of 70.
She was the beloved wife of Jim Edmondson, and a wonderful mother to her daughters Molly, Chloe, and Lucy Clarkson. She was also a treasured step-parent to Devon Edmondson and Sarah Edmondson and their partners Steph Devlin and Anthony (Nippy) Ames, as well as a much loved ‘melon’ to her step-grandchildren Ace, Troy, Wyatt, and Max Edmondson. She was the little sister to her siblings Martin DeLittle, Fran Griffiths, and John DeLittle; and auntie to her nephews Alex DeLittle, Joe Griffiths, James Forster, and Alex Forster and her nieces Juliet DeLittle, Lizzie Griffiths, and Kate Forster.
Born February 6, 1953 in Reigate, England, Madeleine was the daughter of the late Frederick (Peter) DeLittle and Joan DeLittle (nee Lake). Following graduation from high school and completing her Bachelor of Education, Madeleine worked as a teacher and, an adventurer at heart, travelled extensively abroad. On a trip to Greece, Madeleine met the man who would become her first husband, a Canadian man called Allan Clarkson (deceased). She moved to Canada to be with Allan, and they were married in 1983. They went on to have three daughters, who they raised in lovely character homes with beautiful gardens and a multitude of swing sets in Steveston and later Fort Langley. Following a cordial separation from Allan, Madeleine connected with her longstanding friend and singing partner Jim Edmondson, and they connected their two families to everyone’s excitement and enthusiasm.
Madeleine was a vivacious, creative, adventurous and fun soul. She cultivated beautiful gardens filled with curiosities, sewed costumes, gnomes and teddy bears. She canned fruit, and had an extensive and eccentric shoe collection. Madeleine also loved dancing, ‘puttering’ in her home and garden, travelling, spending time in nature, hosting, and spending time with family and friends.
Singing and performing was always a big part of her life and especially so during the last 9 years with her partner Jim Edmondson. She was a longstanding member of the Vancouver Folk Song Society. She and Jim got together as friends two decades ago when Molly, her eldest, and Devon, Jim’s second, were members of the Old Fogies, the self-named VFSS kids’ choir of which Jim was the director. Madeleine and Jim were Poofies (Parents of Old Fogies). For the past ten years of her life she regularly performed at festivals and other events with Jim. Madeleine sang an unshakeable and resolute melody that Jim’s harmonies failed to dislodge. Her strong voice, among many other things will be forever heard.
In her professional life, Madeleine worked with children and adults for 40 years as a teacher, a community worker, a recreation leader, and a counsellor and held the professional designations of Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, a Master Therapeutic Counsellor; a Registered Clinical Supervisor; and Certified Clinical Counsellor. In the last several years of her life, she designed and then went on to teach Neuroscience and the Satir Model in the Sand Tray (or NSST) to hundreds of practicing therapists, both nationally and internationally in China, Thailand, Singapore, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Dr. DeLittle was the Research Chair for the Satir Institute of the Pacific from 2017 to 2024, a faculty member of the Banmen Satir China Management Centre, and an international speaker. A lifelong student, Madeleine received a Bachelor of Education from London University in 1975; a Master of Science in Social Policy in 1985; and a Doctor of Philosophy from Simon Fraser University in 2017, as well as many, many additional certificates from the many trainings she took over the years. She wrote the book “Where Words Can’t Reach: Neuroscience and the Satir Model in the Sand Tray” (2019) and published in academic journals. In 2021, Madeleine was the Recipient of the Canadian Counsellor and Psychotherapy (CCPA) Counsellor Practitioner Award.
The recent tributes to Madeleine from all over the world speak to the growing influence she had in the field of psychotherapy. She leaves us knowing that her mission to promote NSST has developed roots and will surely grow. They also speak to the messages brought to her by so many visitors during her last days about her abiding congruence as a person – variations on the theme of: “Your beautiful heart can be filled with hope for at least others and for the world, because your contribution is not just to psychotherapy but to humanity. Simply, you have shown the world how to be.”
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 23253 Francis Avenue, Langley Township, at 1:00pm. Flowers and other gifts are gratefully declined, but stories and songs are welcome.
We invite you to share your thoughts and memories of Madeleine in the comment field below (scroll to the bottom).
Madeleine’s sudden loss has been a severe blow in so many ways. To lose this sparkling woman – a friend, a generous performer, an inspirational educator, and one of the warmest human beings you could ever meet – has genuinely rocked our community.
There was no time for many of us to say goodbye to Madeleine in person in the way we would have wanted, and to express to her just how loved and valued she was, but through her husband, Jim – our President – we know she was receiving our messages.
Madeleine will leave a gap in so many hearts.
My sincere condolences to Jim and Madeleine’s family as they process this unimaginable loss.
Recent scientific research confirms that we are made of matter from the stars. Decades ago, Joni Mitchell sang, “We are stardust, we are golden. And we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden.”
Madeleine demonstrated that for years — we are made of stars– and she shone brightly to try and help us find our way back to our own special versions of a garden.
I miss her and send warm wishes to her family to find comfort in happy memories.