Janet M Madzey-Akale

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Janet Madzey-Akale in her home in Minneapolis, after a long and courageous battle with liver disease, surrounded by her beloved friends and family on January 21, 2021 at the age of 61. Janet was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 24, 1959, to Alice and William Madzey. She grew up in South Minneapolis attending Morris Park Elementary, Nokomis Jr High and Roosevelt High School. Janet attended college at Minneapolis Community College, Prescott College, and graduated from Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She earned her masters degree in Youth Development Leadership from the University of Minnesota in 1997. Janet worked for the Girl Scouts of America where she started a Hmong Girlscout troop in North Minneapolis. She then worked at the YMCA where she helped create a Y in Jamaica. Janet in the 90s met Ralph. They were married on April 23, 1993 and they had their two beautiful boys. Janet entered and completed the YDL program and ultimately started Full Circle Counsulting Company focusing on youth development and organizational planning. Her work leading organizational planning and evaluation of programming at the Science Museum of Minnesota led her to a role as the interim Director of the museum's Youth Science Center. Beyond her own professional life, Janet was intimately involved in RASOF and all things soccer as she supporter her sons and many other young people in purusing their interestes in this sport. Janet was passionate about her family and was called auntie by many in our community. She devoted her life to working with youth and teaching them to learn by experience. She lived her life to the fullest, had a ready laugh and was always ready for adventure, yet she was passionate about social justice, open and honest about her views on issues affecting our society and actively created programs to address racisim and support leadership and equity in our community. Janet was a wonderful mother, wife, sister, aunt, daughter, friend and community member. She is survived by her husband Ralph of 26 years, sons Mukwelle and Masango, brothers James Madzey (Kathy), Brian Madzey (Patsy), sisters Carol Kerkhoff (Charles), Susan Belew, and in laws Rita Akale, Christian Akale, Samuel Akale and Rouhieh Shahidi in addition to many nieces, nephews and friends. We already miss her terribly. Memorials preferred to the family.

Tributes

Janet M Madzey-Akale

November 24, 1959 - January 21, 2021

Tributes

Janet M Madzey-Akale

November 24, 1959 - January 21, 2021

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