Madge Darneille passed away on April 5, 2019, just shy of her 99th birthday.

A vegetarian since the age of four, Madge has been called the First Lady of Vegetarianism in North America and served off-and-on as president of the Veg Society of DC (VSDC) for 22 years, lastly in 1996. VSDC history has been referred to as “before Madge” and “after Madge.” She was also a founder and board member of the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS) and the Vegetarian Union of North America (VUNA), and Assistant Secretary of the International Vegetarian Union (IVU) for about two decades. She co-founded World Vegetarian Day in the 1970s.

I knew Madge very well, for over 25 years, and we kept in touch in her later years by phone every couple of months. She was a mentor, trusted friend, and so supportive and dedicated.

We are grateful to Madge for her many years of pioneering leadership and inspiration - unique as a strong female leader in the 1960s, when even today, our movement is disproportionately high with men in charge.

We send our deepest sympathy to her family and friends. Madge will be missed immensely.

Saurabh Dalal
Lanham, Maryland, USA
April 15, 2019

Alexandra J. "Sandy" Santilli, 75, of Onset, passed away peacefully at home on August 9, 2017. Raised in East Bridgewater, she was the daughter of the late Alexander and Pearl (Dumas) Santilli. A talented artist, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from UMass Dartmouth. Sandy was a Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission retiree, having worked in various offices for 35 years. A bronze medalist in roller-skate dancing, she enjoyed rollerblading and kayaking. She was a staunch animal rights activist and advocate for a vegan lifestyle. Sandy was the beloved mother of Lisa Cicone of Warren, R.I., and Jeffrey Cicone and his wife Lisa of Bedford; loving grandmother of Lexia and Ella Cicone; sister of Franklin Santilli of East Bridgewater and Jeanne Fiske and her husband Peter of Windham, Maine; and an aunt of many. All are welcome to her "Celebration of Life" at the East Bridgewater Commercial Club on September 19th from 12:00pm - 3:00pm where a vegan buffet will be served. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Farm Sanctuary or Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM). 

Source: obituary from Evelyn Kimber of the Boston Vegetarian Society

Alexandra traveled around the world repeatedly for vegan events, such as the IVU's World Vegetarian Congress. SHE HAD A LOVING SPIRIT AND MADE IT SEEM EASY TO IMAGINE A VEGAN WORLD. WE WILL MISS HER. WARM WISHES TO ALL HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS.