Madeline grew up in West Orange, NJ and graduated from Our Lady of the Valley High School, Orange, NJ, in 1964.

She attended Montclair State University (college) Undergraduate /Graduate Studies, in Speech Arts/ Sciences, Communication Disorders

For 35 years, Madeline worked for the West Orange Board of Education as a Speech/Language Specialist.  In this role, she provided Speech/Language Services K-12 as well as Speech Improvement and Enrichment Programs and Public Speaking and Dramatic Arts Programs.

Madeline has served since 2007 on the Board of the Bloomfield Educational Foundation, during which she was Chairwoman, Vice Chair, and Treasurer, and Chair of the Grant Review Committee.

Madeline served 6 years on the Bloomfield Board of Education, 2 terms as Vice President.  During her service on the BOE, she also served as President of the Essex County School Board Association and as a Delegate from Essex County to the NJ School Board Association.

Community Service:

• Past President of Sacred Heart Parish Council
• Member of Sacred Heart Church Choir, Director of Lector’s
• Current member of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish
• Member of the Woman’s Club of Bloomfield for 27 years
• Served on the Bloomfield Ethics Commission
• Served on the Bloomfield Bicentennial Committee and Cultural Commission
• Past membership in Brookdale H&S Association, Bloomfield Middle School H&S and Bloomfield HS H&S.

Madeline played women’s softball with the Brookdale Babes and also with the Rec Dept. sponsored team, Inca Cola.

Madeline married life-long Bloomfielder James, (aka Jim, Parker, Tinker, Toys) Wollner, BHS ’64.  They have two children, a son, Christian, (BHS ’93) deceased, 2016, and a daughter, Katherine (Katie) Malenczak, BHS ’98, and one grandson, Wyatt.  She has lived in Bloomfield for 51 years.

“Having spent most of my life from age 5 to ? in some form or relationship with education, when I finished my active professional life I wanted to continue to give back in some way.  I was inspired to get involved with the BEF by Joe Kliminski, ’61 BHS, one of the founders of the BEF.  His dedication to the enrichment of the programs and the kids in the Bloomfield Public Schools inspired the formation of the BEF, and it was my way to contribute to the workings of the BEF.

My time with the BEF has been the most rewarding part of my ‘post’ professional life in Education!  It gives such satisfaction to know that our work pays off in big dividends when I see, firsthand, the programs or projects BEF has funded!  I will stay involved in BEF work as long as Bloomfield has dedicated, creative educators and students who will benefit from the Bloomfield Educational Foundation.

I believe the BEF members need to re-energize our presence in the schools through more in-person contact with H&S and school staff, as well as with administrative staff.  This is especially true after our year “off the grid” with COVID restrictions,” said Madeline.