Madeline Neilson Rockwell

Madeline Neilson Rockwell, 71, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2021 in the home she designed for her family and lived in for nearly 40 years, surrounded by her daughters, Katherine MacLauchlan and Susan Rockwell, and her husband of nearly 50 years, Charlie Rockwell. Her passing followed a vigorous but short battle with cancer. Madeline was an athlete from the time she could walk to her final months. She was an avid horsewoman, a lifelong passion that she inherited from her mother (the late Katherine Pell Neilson) and shared with her eldest brother (the late Louis Neilson III), her sister Carol Kane Neilson, her daughters, and many dear friends throughout her life. Her brother Cook Neilson brought home a Vespa one summer, hooked the whole family on motorcycles, and Madeline would later teach Charlie to ride in a local cemetery. The two spent the first decade of their marriage competing in enduro races across the Northeast before having their girls. While Cook took the more professional motorcycle route, Madeline's shelves of trophies and troves of stories and broken bones are a testament to her adventurous spirit. Madeline and Charlie also loved to ski and shared their passion for the sport as certified instructors and industry leaders for nearly 50 years. Madeline took particular pleasure in introducing beginners to the sport, and making skiing accessible for all. Like her father, Pop (the late Louis Neilson, Jr.) and the rest of the Neilson clan, Madeline never let the truth get in the way of a good story, and her quick wit and dry sense of humor constantly dissolved friends, family, and herself into laughter. We aren't sure how much to believe, but it's clear that Madeline had the fondest memories of mischief made with dear friends from Tower Hill School, St. Timothy's School, and Middlebury College. Despite having gratitude for her own educational experiences, she homeschooled Katherine and Susan through elementary school. Their early education at home allowed the family to take advantage of every bluebird day up on the mountain and make time for daily trail rides on the horses, while still instilling a love of reading and learning. The girls credit their independence, tenacity, and work ethic to these formative and fun years. Madeline also leaves behind her son-in-law Ian MacLauchlan, with whom she built a collection of chickens named for country music stars, a granddaughter Alice MacLauchlan, who enjoyed many adventures with Madeline in the mountains and on the horses, a grandson Henry MacLauchlan, who learned to walk just in time to tickle her feet anytime she put them up, her son-in-law Austin Johntra who mistakenly admired her cookware and shortly thereafter had an overflowing kitchen of his own, and beloved nieces and nephews who she proudly had as google alerts to follow their adventures. Madeline dedicated much of her time to helping others. She co-founded Vermont Reading Partners to combat adult illiteracy, dedicated months of each summer processing and organizing the race entries for the Susan G. Komen Vermont New Hampshire Race for the Cure, and ensured the survival of and access to the amazing property at Merck Forest and Farmland Center as a Board member. Her most recent passion was volunteering with the Bart Adaptive Sports Center, both on the slopes and as a Board member. Broadening her lifelong passion of teaching skiing to include students with different physical and emotional needs challenged and fulfilled her. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to donate to the Bart Center (https://www.bartadaptive.org/donate.html). Due to COVID, the family will have a private memorial when it is appropriate and safe to gather. The family hopes you will think of Madeline the next time you hit the slopes, take a ride (horse, motorcycle, or vehicle of choice), or take a walk in the woods- all things that brought her great joy.