MADELINE (nee AUSUEBEL) SHAPIRO

Born: January 10, 1934 (Brooklyn, NY)

Died: June 10, 2026 (Silver Spring, MD)

Beloved Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother.

Madeline Shapiro, affectionally nicknamed “Masha” (משה) or “Maddy”, was a first generation American born to Irene and Bernard Ausuebel, who grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. She was the older of twin sisters (with ) and was known to be both highly intelligent (valedictorian of her high school class) and a bit of a rebel.

Madeline was 16 when she was introduced on a blind date to Fred Shapiro (a BMOC at nearby Queens College). Three years later, while still attending Brooklyn College, Madeline married Fred and they were off to a honeymoon in the Laurentian Mountains and Montreal. After college, due to Fred’s Army service, Madeline lived in El Paso, TX and Mainz, West Germany, and traveled extensively throughout post-WWII Europe.

Returning to the United States, Madeline and Fred lived successively in Brooklyn, East Meadow, and Levittown, NY, and finally in the Leisure World community in Silver Spring, MD. Madeline was an avid bowler and card/game player, also enjoying the daily New York Times crossword puzzle (which she completed in pen!), reading books, and tending to her many plants. She also volunteered in the library in her Leisure World community up until it was closed during the COVID pandemic.

And, of course, Madeline doted on her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, up until the onset of dementia that took away the full Madeline her family knew so well. Even in her last years, Madeline showed glimmers of her innate intelligence, wit, and affection.

Madeline is survived by her loving husband of 72+ years, Fred, as well as her children and their spouses (Jeff & Alayne, Rhonda & Mitchell, and Eileen & Cory), grandchildren and their spouses/partners (Allison & Grace, Marisa & Jacob, Brian & Adriana, Ben & Fernanda, Frank & Ellie, and Jakob), and great-grandchildren (Sylvie, Finn, and Theodore). Madeline’s family wants to extend a sincere thank you to the team of caregivers from HomeWell Care Services who helped Madeline during her final years.

Madeline’s funeral will be held in the Chapel at Judean Memorial Gardens/Cemetery, 16225 Batchellors Forest Rd, Olney, MD on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 1 pm EDT. Those wishing to make a donation in Madeline’s memory may do so to the Jewish Social Services Agency (JSSA) at www.jssa.org (please designate “Hospice Program” on the Caring Contribution webpage), or to their local library so that future generations may enjoy books and reading as much as Madeline did.

May her memory be a blessing!