Madeleine Waters Mansier, 83, of Pennington, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family at Capital Health Medical Center on December 18, 2023. Madeleine was a pillar of support for her friends, family and community. She loved helping others, learning and teaching. Throughout her life she encouraged others of all ages.
Madeleine was born April 4, 1940 in Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, to Albert Ernest Waters and Anna Marie Folz. She was the first person on either side of her family to be born in a hospital. Madeleine graduated from Philadelphia High School for Girls in 1958 where she served as editor of the school newspaper, “The Iris” and produced the class play, “Pappy Know’s Best.” Upon graduation, she started at Penn State University the next day. She graduated from Penn State on June 10, 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.
Following college, Madeleine spent time at Cornell and Berkeley before starting as an English teacher at Quakertown High School. In 1966 she received a phone call out of the blue from Princeton High School. She had been recommended to them and accepted the position, met Lawrence Allen Mansier, and the rest is history. They were married on June 24, 1967. Madeleine designed the house they would spend their lives in to be fully handicapped accessible. They moved in January 1971.
Their son, Lawrence Albert Mansier, was born on July 22 1972. Mother and son were explorers, readers, and Lego creators.
When Lawrence went to elementary school full time, Madeleine went back to school as well. She attended Law School at Temple University. She later graduated with Honors and began a one-year clerkship with Judge Greenberg. During her career with the State of New Jersey, she argued before the Supreme Court of the United States, winning her case. Madeleine served in many levels of leadership including Section Chief of the Federal Rights Litigation and Corrections Section, the Counsel Office of Governor Christine Todd Whitman, and Chief of Staff for the Commissioner of Education. She retired in 2001.
Madeleine was an avid traveler. She and husband Larry found new friends everywhere they went. She was an active member of her amazing church, and also taught classes for Hopewell Valleys “Explorations”.
Predeceased by her husband and soul mate, Larry, Madeleine is survived by their son and daughter-in-law. Lawrence Albert and Angela (West) Mansier, and four grandchildren, Morgan Joanna Mansier, Olivia Taylor Mansier, Weston Lawrence Mansier, and Lucas Edward Mansier, as well as her brother John Waters (Debra Lewis), nephew Erik Waters (Amy Forrer) and children, Elsa, Olina and Alden Waters.
A service of Witness to the Resurrection and Thanksgiving for the Life of Madeleine Waters Mansier will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 28, at the Pennington Presbyterian Church, followed by a luncheon. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Pennington Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are by the Wilson-Apple Funeral Home, Pennington. Condolences are welcome at www.wilsonapple.com.
Obituary provided by Wilson Apple Funeral Home. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Madeleine, please visit their store.
