04/14/2026
In Memory of MADELINE ROSE MILICIA (nee Fennick), age 85 passed away on April 13, 2026. Beloved wife of the late Anthony Milicia; loving mother of Richard Milicia (Laurie); John Milicia (Dona), and Robert Milicia; dear grandmother of Zachary Milicia (fiancée Katie Henderson), John Milicia, Rabecca Bastick (Sean); Arianna Milicia, Aliyah Milicia, and Camren Milicia; sister of John Fennick (Carol), Susan Misconish (Bill), Barbara Niro (Sam), and the late Ronald Fennick;
On October 17, 1940, John and Susan Fennick welcomed their daughter, Madeline Fennick, into the world in their Cleveland, Ohio home on Reno Avenue. Raised alongside her brothers, Ron (deceased) and John, and sisters, Susan, and Barbara, she was deeply grounded in her Slovak heritage and strong Catholic faith, values lovingly instilled by her parents.
Madeline attended Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church and elementary school and went on to graduate from Hoban Dominican High School. In 1960, she married the love of her life, Anthony Milicia, and together they began a family in Cleveland before settling in Maple Heights, where they raised their three sons, Rick, John, and Bob.
A proud and determined woman, she balanced work and family with remarkable dedication. While raising her boys, she worked evenings at KeyBank for many years. As her children grew older, she returned to school at Cuyahoga Community College to study accounting, an area she truly loved. Through hard work and perseverance, she advanced within KeyBank to become Supervisor of Accounting. During her tenure, she was recognized as Employee of the Month and credited with implementing process improvements that saved the company approximately $50,000 per month.
As their family grew and moved on to other suburbs, she and Anthony settled in Parma, Ohio, where they were longtime parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua Church. Family was always at the center of her life. She was actively involved in her children’s and grandchildren’s activities and remained deeply proud of them throughout her life.
After retiring from KeyBank and following the passing of her beloved husband, Anthony, she continued to live with grace and independence. As she aged, she moved to a senior living community, where she formed meaningful friendships and was cared for by many wonderful staff members. As her needs changed, she later moved to Danbury Assisted Living, where the staff enjoyed chatting with her and consistently spoke of how kind, special, and loved she was.
Throughout her life, she enjoyed traveling and embracing new experiences. She especially cherished trips she shared with Anthony, including many memorable visits to Las Vegas. Later in life, she continued to explore the world, once even trying skiing, something she enjoyed until age no longer permitted. One of her most treasured memories was an Alaskan cruise, which she often described as the best vacation she ever took.
Holidays were especially meaningful to her, and she took great joy in passing along her beloved Slovak traditions, particularly at Christmas. After the passing of her parents, she lovingly continued the family’s Christmas Eve celebration, highlighted by her homemade Slovak pierogies. As her sons married and grandchildren arrived, this tradition continued and became a cherished family gathering. It brought together her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren Johnny, Becca Boo, Zach, Ari, Ali, Cam, and Sean, and was a favorite Christmas Eve tradition her grandchildren will never forget.
She loved socializing with family and friends and was known for her warmth, joyful spirit, and deep pride in her family. She had a particular fondness for the color purple in all its beautiful shades, a love she passed down to her granddaughter Becca, who honored her by choosing purple for her wedding. Madeline was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians, as well as a devoted lover of children, cows, and dogs. She found joy in her many “grand dogs” over the years and faithfully supported charitable causes benefiting children and animals.
Her legacy lives on through the traditions she preserved, the values she passed down, and the many lives she touched with her love, strength, and devotion to family. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
The family is deeply grateful to the dedicated and compassionate caregivers of Hands On Loving Care through StoryPoint Senior Living, along with the staff at Danbury Assisted Living and Reserve Care Hospice, for the exceptional care, support, and kindness they provided.
In remembrance of Madeline and her love for the color purple, the family invites those who wish to pay their respects at the wake and funeral services to consider wearing a shade of purple in her honor.
Friends may call at THE FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME, 356 WEST AURORA RD (OH RT 82), SAGAMORE HILLS FOR VISITATION ON THURSDAY FROM 3-7 P.M. Funeral Friday 8:45 a.m. at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Interment All Saints Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at https://tinyurl.com/StJudeChHosp or the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter, 9500 Sweet Valley Drive, Valley View, OH 44125 or online at https://animalshelter.cuyahogacounty.gov/get-involved/donate.
