Barbara Scott Malaney

Malaney, Barbara Scott 6/26/1926 - 4/9/2023 Wayne Surrounded by her family and guarded by her grandpups, Barbara Scott Malaney passed away peacefully on April 9, Easter Sunday. A mere 96 years young, Barb forever changed the world, as well as those lucky enough to have met her, for the better. She was born in Spring Valley, Illinois, to John Forrest and Grace Roberts Scott on June 26, 1926 - 6/26/26! She moved to her beloved hometown Kalamazoo, Michigan as a baby and remained there off and on for more than 70 years. She attended Hillcrest elementary school and graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1944. She was one of the last remaining members of her high school class that met monthly at Kalamazoo's Treat Street to reminisce and maintain cherished life-long friendships. Barb attended Western Michigan University and graduated in 1948. She completed her OT affiliation in New York, New Hampshire, and Boston. But Kalamazoo again called when she ran into an old high school acquaintance when home on Christmas holiday. The rest is history as they say. In 1952 Barb married Bob Malaney, her beloved husband of 62 years before his death in 2015. Life for Barb and Bob took them to several states before returning home to Portage, Michigan, and eventually to their home of 36 years at The Moors Golf Club. While parenting three active kids Barb resumed her career and worked at the Kalamazoo State Psychiatric Hospital for more than 15 years. In retirement, she was as busy as ever. She was a dedicated volunteer at the Discovery Shop in Kalamazoo for more than 20 years. She was a regular attendee at St. Catherine's Church, and she took up golf at age 55, making two holes-in-one and shooting a career best of 87. She was able to enjoy golf into her mid 90s. Maybe most noteworthy, she and Bob played cribbage on an almost daily basis, keeping track of every game they played. It's estimated they played well in excess of 50,000 games, including one 29 hand (a perfect hand in cribbage). She is renowned for her French stew, fried chicken, and unbelievable cherry, blueberry, and pumpkin pies. She was an ardent Michigan State fan, attending at least one MSU home football game into her 90s. She was also talented at needlepoint, gifting cherished Christmas ornaments each year to her children that will serve as an extended legacy. Two years ago Barb moved to Wayne, Pennsylvania, to be closer to her daughter. She was a real trooper and embraced the change and took Brightview Senior Living by storm. Scenic tours, virtual golf, corn hole, nightly movies, Rummikub, and happy hours filled her days in addition to time at her daughter's and trips to the Jersey Shore. She lived her mantra: to keep going, you just need to keep going. Barb is survived by her three children Scott (Margaret) of Hilton Head, SC, Susan Lange of West Linn, OR and Sara (Jay) Leyden of Wayne, PA. She also has 8 grandchildren: Bridget, Andrew (Kaitlyn), Maggie (Costa), Sara (Rory), Matthew, Katie, Jack, and R. Connor Leyden; and three great grandchildren: Rafferty, Elizabeth, and Scarlet. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 14, at St. Katherine of Sienna Church in Wayne, PA. Friends will be received at 10:30 am following by the mass at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, we'd love to hear from you with a memory of Barb. Notes may be sent to Sara Leyden, 808 Dresher Way, Wayne, PA 19087 or via email at saramleyden@gmail.com. Donations can be made to The Devon Horse Show at devonhorseshow.net/sponsorship-and-support/the-foundation/ Cremation Society of Pennsylvania