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Madge Franklin, 89, died April 23, 2026, in Hunt Valley, Maryland, with Haswell, her husband of 68 years, holding her hand, and her family by her side. The myositis community mourns her passing.
Diagnosed in 2001, Madge lived for the past 25 years with inclusion body myositis. She was an avid member of The Myositis Association, serving on the Board of Directors from 2008-2011, two of those years as secretary.
Haswell, along with her eight children and many grandchildren, not only provided encouragement and affection, but also supported Madge’s efforts to raise funds for myositis research and promote a wider understanding of the disease.
The Franklins turned fundraising for TMA into a longstanding family tradition. For years, they walked, ran, and competed in organized athletic events benefiting those with myositis. They used anniversary celebrations, birthday fundraisers, and other community gatherings to blend philanthropy with family connections. They also helped support Madge’s successful campaign to have the Maryland governor declare September 21 as Myositis Awareness Day.
A skilled bridge player, Madge hosted an annual bridge tournament that raised significant funds for myositis research and support, a tournament that grew so large it eventually moved from her home to a club.
To her family, these events were not only about fundraising, but also about honoring Madge, educating others about the disease, and bringing people together in support of those affected by myositis.
Despite her illness, Madge continued to pursue her far-ranging personal interests. Haswell Franklin, Jr., her oldest son, says her long life convinced him of the importance of high-quality care for everyone with myositis or any serious disease.
Madge always had a smile, a word of encouragement, a ready laugh, and a funny remark for everyone. Those who met her at the TMA Annual Patient Conferences experienced firsthand one of the sentiments later expressed in her obituary: “Madge especially loved hugs, and she never let go first.”
The memory of those hugs sustains those who miss her. But Haswell says there was something else she gave those left behind: “She taught us how to face adversity with grace and dignity.”
