On Monday, July 22, 2019, Claire Evelyn MaDan passed away peacefully in her sleep at Wellness Living in North Miami. She was 95.

Her son James and her granddaughter, Corinna, survive her. Her parents, her half-sister Dal and sadly, her husband, preceded Claire in death.

Claire was born on December 20th 1923 in Swampscott, Massachusetts to John and Mary (Goss) Armitage.

During World War II she joined the Navy and married Marine Corps Staff Sargent James Glenn Burrough who was tragically killed in the Pacific. Their little boy James Glenn was only three. Later, James would follow his Father’s footsteps and join the Marine Corps.

After getting clean and sober on 3 August 1957 at 34 Claire dedicated her life to carry the message of recovery into jails and institutions. She received Doctorate degrees in Psychology and Behavioral Science counseling alcoholics and addicts for over 30 years in Miami Springs at the MaDan Center.

She was instrumental in starting many support groups. Alateen, a group specifically for children of alcoholics, existed only on the West Coast, and Claire inspired her son to start the first group on the East Coast.

Claire was also instrumental in forming the Change Group, a recovery program at Camillus House and every Monday evening she could be found carrying the message of recovery into the Dade County Stockade. She helped countless numbers of individuals that the court system sent to her and counseled many people changing lives forever.

One of Claire’s crowning achievements was the MaDan Act, which preceded the Baker Act and was a legal means for involuntary institutionalization and examination of an Individual who was impaired.

A celebration of life will be held at the Poinciana United Methodist Church 300 North Poinciana Boulevard in Miami Springs on Friday 23 August at 7 p.m.

Claire-Madan

Obituary notices can be sent to editor@MiamiSprings.com.

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