Madeline LaDean Preston

Madeline La Dean Vaccaro Preston, known lovingly as "Madgie," "Madge," and "Green Eyes," passed away on March 16, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah, just thirteen days before her 92nd birthday. She was born on March 29, 1934, In Salt Lake City to John Boyd Vaccaro and Catherine Mary Barella.

On April 3, 1954, Madeline married the love of her life, Gerald LeRoy Preston, and what a glorious union it was. For nearly 72 years, Madeline and Jerry were side by side, doing everything together. Their love brought two beautiful daughters into the world, Rhonda Jean Preston (Iverson) and Corinne LaDean Preston (Robare), whom she idolized. She was the proud grandmother of Summer Dawn Robare (Olson), Sean Preston Robare, and Justin Ray Iverson, and the doting great-grandmother of five great-grandchildren who were the limelight of her eyes. She cherished each and every one of them.

Madeline had a big personality. She was funny, kind, and endlessly generous, always sharing whatever she had to give. A lifelong Utah Jazz fan, she was also a self taught pianist and organist who could sit down and play beautifully whenever someone asked. Her creative talents knew no bounds, from crocheting and quilting to flower arranging, cooking, and freehand drawing. In her later years, she took up diamond art and would gift her creations to her doctors and nurses. She and Jerry loved their trips to Wendover, where she would cheer on her girls at the slot machines with her signature call, "No whammies, no whammies!"

Madeline loved spring and summer, spending time in her garden surrounded by the beauty of nature and flowers. She often spoke of God sowing the soil, recreating new growth, and the wonder of watching what it becomes. Her faith was deep and unwavering, a quiet strength that guided her throughout her life. May she now rest peacefully in His eternal garden.

She was proceeded in death by her parents; her sisters Isabelle Theresa Vaccaro (Coccimiglio), Victoria Cecelia Vaccaro (Stephens), Dolores Catherine Vaccaro (Bilanzich), Laura Louise Vaccaro (Thompson), and Patricia Loretta Vaccaro; and her brothers Boyd John Cortello, Paul Mario Cortello, and Carl Vaccaro. She is survived by her husband gerald, her daughters Rhonda and Corinne, her brother Gerald Dean Vaccaro, her three grandchildren, and her five great-grandchildren; Seth Michael Iverson, Dan’te Marie Iverson, Korbyn Christopher Campbell, Kiptyn James Campbell and Kambree Cassidy Campbell.

A funeral service will be held on March 27, 2026, at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah. A viewing will take place from 11:00a.m. to 12:30p.m., followed by the service from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30pm., and the burial will take place at 3:00pm.