Joan R. Malara

Joan Rosemary Malara (née Culhane), most fondly known as Mema, passed away peacefully at home at age 96 on Friday, December 8, 2023..  She had been in hospice care for only a few hours and most likely could hear all the fussing around her when she decided for herself that she was ready to say Goodbye.

She was born in New York, NY, on January 15, 1927 to John and Anna Culhane (née Gonya). The family moved to Louisville, KY where she graduated from High School, then to Dayton, OH, and finally to Lima, OH. Joan was unhappy there and her parents allowed her to move back to NY to live with her beloved Aunt Mae and Uncle Eddie in the Bronx.  She attended a church dance in 1948, met Dominick ( Mickey) Malara, married him on February 12, 1949, and the rest is our Malara Family History.

In her late teens and early twenties she worked for “Ma Bell”, and went back around 1964 thru 1989 when she decided to take the early retirement package at age 62. She had been an operator early on, but finished her career as a construction coordinator and she loved her work.

She and Mickey became involved with the Mt. Pleasant Senior Center, made many new friends and had some fine times.  When he died in 2007, Joan’s “gang” of girlfriends sustained her and kept her constantly busy and engaged in life. She loved line dancing, was a killer Canasta player, and was the Queen of her Red Hat Ladies group. She was also a lay minister at Holy Name Church, and an enthusiastic volunteer at Westchester Medical Center.

She was pre-deceased by her brother, John and sister, Rosemary. She is survived by her sister, Barbara, who lives in Ohio; her children, Mary Ellen (Barry), Michael (Kathleen), and Joan Marie; her beautiful grandchildren Alex (Megan), Leanne (James), Johnna (Ernesto) and Stefanie (Pat); her adorable great-grandchildren Sabrina, Miro, James, Milania, Ronan, Weston, Zoë, and Ani; plus her beloved cousins, nieces and nephews who are scattered all over the country.

Our Family would like to thank all the angels who took care of our Mother, Joan, especially Winsome and April who have been with us for the last 15 months and made it possible for her to remain at home. Part of the reason we felt good about keeping Mom at home was because of her kind, thoughtful, generous and loving neighbors on Pamela Lane. Even though she was in hospice care for only a few hours, we need to thank the sensitive people of Jansen Hospice Care.

She will be missed by so many and was, is, much loved.

Please note the arrangements for her Memorial and Interment as they appear on this website.

Finally, in lieu of flowers, the Family asks that you make a donation in Joan’s name to your favorite charity.