Madeline "Halt" Matakonis

Madeline H. Matakonis (née Halt), age 85, of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to the late Frank and Mary Halt, Madeline later lived in Riverside, New Jersey, before making her home in Mount Laurel for the past 22 years. She worked in accounts payable for Reliance Insurance until her retirement in 2006. A longtime parishioner of St. Peter’s Church in Riverside and later Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Hainesport, she found joy in reading, crocheting, and tending to her plants. She lovingly put her crochet skills to use by making blankets for newborns at local hospitals. Above all, Madeline cherished time with her family. One of nine siblings, she looked forward each year to gathering with the extended Halt family for Thanksgiving. Known to many as Madeline, Mad, or Madge, she was famous for her signature rice pudding, which she happily shared on every visit.

She is survived by her beloved son, Michael Matakonis (Melanie); her cherished siblings, Rosalie Sminkey and Joseph Halt; her treasured grandchildren, Olivia and Gracyn Matakonis; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, close friends, and neighbors. She is reunited with her husband, Frank Matakonis, and her siblings, Marjorie Crawford, Joanne Murphy, Mary Cassidy, Bernadette Halt, Frank Halt, and Gerald Halt.