Madalyn Eunice (Downing) Irwin was born on November 14, 1931 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She was the daughter of Leland George and Fannie (Wadsworth) Downing.

In 1950, she married Robert George Irwin and they had six children:

1. Connie Lee (Irwin) Raymond

2. Charles Leroy Irwin

3. Catherine Louise Irwin

4. Carol Lynn (Irwin) Motylinski

5. Calvin Leon Irwin

6. Cheryl Leslie Irwin

Madalyn passed away on March 5, 2010 in Tecumseh, Lenawee County, Michigan. She was 78 years old and is buried in Ridgeway Cemetery in Ridgeway Township, Lenawee County, Michigan.