Mary Agnes Maloney

Mary Maloney

September 08, 1924 - January 27, 2007

Age 82 of Allison Park, died on Saturday, January 27, 2007, at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. Devoted wife of James Patrick Maloney. Loving and cherished mother of Meg Maloney of Canandaigua, NY; Barbara Maloney of Scottsdale, AZ; Erin Maloney of Allison Park; Michael Maloney and his wife, Leah, of Long Island, ME; John Maloney of Allison Park; and Patrick Maloney of Pittsburgh. She was preceded in death by her oldest son, James Patrick Maloney III, in 1991.

Mary was also preceded in death by her parents, John and Barbara Walsh Brown, who immigrated to Pittsburgh from Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. John Brown and Barbara Walsh lived within a few miles of each other in Ireland, but did not meet until they became residents of Pittsburgh. Mary’s siblings also preceded her in death: John Brown Jr.; Barbara Brown, Katherine Brown; and her beloved younger sister Anne Brown Doherty, all of the Pittsburgh area.

Mary will be sadly missed by her grandchildren, who adored her spirit and concern for those around her: James Patrick Maloney IV of Laguna Niguel, CA; and Devon Ellen Watters of Canandaigua, NY. She leaves behind numerous survivors, including many friends, cousins, nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

A blue-eyed Irish beauty, Mary graduated from the former Cathedral High School in South Oakland and attended a business school in the city. She was an office assistant at Mercy Hospital in the 1940s before she wed her husband, Jim, on September 22, 1951. Jim’s job as a pharmaceutical representative sent them to live in Steubenville, Ohio, where their son Jimmy was born, then on to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where the other six children were born. They lived in Manlius, New York, for a few years, returning to Pittsburgh in 1973 to reclaim their hometown. Mary was a hard-working, dedicated, and tireless homemaker who led a purpose-driven life up until a few weeks prior to her death. A devout Catholic, she counted on her faith to guide her throughout life, knowing upon death she would be reunited with her dearly departed family and friends.

As her children grew older, Mary enjoyed some freedom to pursue her interests: She was a longtime member of the Greybrooke Garden Club, known for her beautiful flowers, tomatoes, award-winning apples, and the zucchini she grew for her much-shared and devoured zucchini bread recipe. She traveled on the East and West coasts, and in 1998 visited Ireland with her daughter Barbara. For the past 20 years, she enjoyed playing golf in the spring with a group who often played in Franklin Park. In 1986, she was awarded a trophy for an amazing hole-in-one, a remarkable accomplishment for anyone, much less a newbie. Her sports-loving family was rightfully impressed.

Visitation will be held Wednesday at 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday at 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Devlin Funeral Home, 806 Perry Hwy, Ross Township. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Alexis Catholic Church, 10090 Old Perry Hwy, Wexford, at noon on Friday, officiated by Mary’s cousin, Father Joseph Newell. Burial Service to follow at Holy Savior Cemetery.