Amelia (Amy) Maddock

Amelia (Amy) Maddock, née Harmening Carlson, died peacefully in her home in Munhall, PA, on February 7, 2026. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, John (Dave) Maddock, of Munhall; her son John Lindsey and his wife Carolyn, of Irwin, PA and their children Kash and Landon; and her daughter Sarah Pakenham, and her husband Ned, of Sussex, UK, and their children Julia, Thomas, and Ferdinand. Also, her sister Julia Carlson, of Boston, MA; and brothers Francis Carlson, of Zurich, Switzerland, and William Carlson of Derwood, MD. She is predeceased by her parents, Francis E Carlson, Sr., and Marguerite Moll Carlson.

From a young age, Amy decided to be a teacher, and devoted her professional life to childhood education. After graduating from Wheelock College, she raised her children and then worked from 1989-2011 for the Pittsburgh Department of Education, heading up one of the very first Head Start Programs for several years, and later serving as the Transition Coordinator of the Early Childhood Program. With her innate talent for bringing out the best in even the shyest child, she was adored by her students. She was also a talented supervisor for new employees in her field.

Amy was born August 27, 1950, in Winchester (MA). She attended Winchester Public Schools, until middle school when the family moved to the Washington, DC area. She graduated from Walter Johnson High School, (Bethesda MD) in 1968 and studied Early Childhood Education at Wheelock College, Boston MA, graduating in 1972.

Amy is remembered as kind, caring, empathic, and fun. Her grandchildren, nieces and nephews remember her as a super-cool Gramma and Auntie, who she totally spoiled with trips to amusement parks, ice cream shops, and all the “bad snacks” they wanted. She was a credit to her profession, quick to defend those who were struggling. Her only regret was that she wasn’t able to help all her students who struggled in any way. She cared deeply and equally for friends, family, her students and colleagues. Dave commented “Amy is the best thing that ever happened to me” and it’s certain this will be the lasting sentiment of all who knew her.