Penny Malesky

It was clear to see by the way she treated those around her that Penny Malesky had a heart that was as endless as the sky is blue. She was a supportive wife and nurturing mother who fully embraced her role as a grandmother later in life. With the love of her life by her side for more than 47 years, Penny experienced so many of the best things that life has to offer. With her warm and sparkling personality, she drew others to her with ease as she was a stranger to none and a friend to all. Penny’s laughter, compassion, and unending generosity will be greatly missed.

It was in 1944 that a young couple from Detroit, Michigan, was delighted to announce the birth of their healthy baby girl on February 28th. Penelope Ann was one of two children born to her parents, Robert and Charlotte Elizabeth (Walsh) Bennett, and she was raised in the family home alongside her brother, Clyde. Penny loved her brother very much and wanted to do everything he was doing. Fortunately, Clyde was the kind of brother who was more than happy to allow his determined, sometimes protective, little sister to tag along and be included in all of the fun.

For the most part Penny experienced an upbringing that was typical for the youth of her generation. She was a student at Isaac Newton Elementary, running to and from school nearly every day, which wasn’t surprising since she was someone who was always on the go. Penny had an outgoing personality and made friends easily. It has also been said that a friend of Penny’s was a friend for life. She was an adventurer who loved to travel from the time she was a young girl, and she took numerous family trips across the country with her parents and brother. At times Penny could be could be impatient and strong-willed; or, perhaps it could be described as passionate! Her high school years found her at Henry Ford High School where she was known as being very athletic, popular, and intelligent. She played field hockey and was a cheerleader in high school. Penny often drove her dad’s green pick-up truck, which may have been the beginning of her amazing driving skills; to include driving a semi truck for three summers later in life.

Not to be forgotten during her years in high school was Penny’s introduction to the young man who would change the course of her life forever. His name was Robert Malesky, and they met when she was a junior. He had heard about a young girl named Penny Bennett, and from the moment he laid eyes on her he was hooked.

After graduating from high school Penny moved to Fort Worth, Texas, for flight attendant school. After completing her education she was stationed in Redondo Beach, California, with American Airlines. About eighteen months later Penny returned to Michigan and enrolled at Ferris State University.

By the time she returned home Robert had already proposed twice, but Penny had never been ready. Thank goodness he was persistent as the third time seemed to be the charm. Deeply in love, they exchanged their vows on March 24, 1966, in Detroit. In order to support her husband while he went to veterinary school, Penny began working at the department of psychiatry at MSU. They were delighted to welcome three daughters into their hearts and home, Dana in 1971 and Sara in 1972. After moving to St. Johns in 1973 their family was later completed with the birth of Charlotte in 1976. Always a supportive wife, Penny worked alongside Robert, managing the business, at St. Johns Animal Clinic until they retired in April 2007. She handled everything with ease and treated their employees like family.

Penny and Robert raised their family on an 80 acre farm they purchased when moving to St. Johns in 1973. It had a very old house, with limited amenities. Penny carried laundry to an old milk house where the washer and dryer were housed for over a decade. In 1984 they built a new house where the old one once stood, Penny hauling away the ruble with the dump truck she drove while working three summers for a land clearing company. While raising three children and managing a business, she also maintained a working farm with 5 horses and 300 sheep, baled hay and did endless chores.

Through out her life Penny loved so many things. She and Robert both had a keen appreciation for the outdoors and spent countless days with their family boating, fishing, camping and snowmobiling. For many years they also went to horse shows to support their daughters. When grandchildren arrived later in life, Penny couldn’t have been happier, and her life revolved around her grandchildren right from the start. She was always so giving and affectionate, and her family certainly knew just how deeply she treasured each one of them. It was hard to say who had more fun, Penny or her grandchildren, and she was a firm believer that when it came to having fun, the sky was the limit. She encouraged her grandchildren to do all sorts of messy, but incredibly fun things and they were all more than happy to participate in whatever exciting adventure Grammy Penny proposed.

In everything she did, Penelope Malesky had the needs of others in the forefront of her mind. She made multitasking seem effortless and could handle whatever came her way with a graciousness that is to be admired. Penny was blessed to share most of her life’s journey with her true love by her side, their marriage an inspiration to all who knew them. She loved her roles as a wife and mother, but she just may have argued that being a grandmother was her greatest reward. The memories Penny leaves behind will be forever cherished by her numerous friends and loved ones.

Penelope (Penny) Ann Malesky died on May 27, 2013. Penny’s family includes her husband, Dr. Robert Malesky; children, Dana Malesky (Scott) Flegler of DeWitt, Sara (Shane) Ladwein of Midland, Charlotte (Shaun) Schneider of St. Johns; grandchildren, Makayla and Nicholas Flegler, Brendan, Thomas and Henry Ladwein, Vivian, Bennett and Penelope Schneider; brother, Clyde (Sonia) Bennett of Rochester, MI; sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Dudley (Wally Presten) and JorJan (Ken) Allen; cousins, Jim (Nancy) Booker, Marvin (Patti) Booker and Bill (Kathy) Booker; as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews. Penny was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Charlotte Bennett and her in-laws, George and Doris Malesky. A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, June 8, 2013, at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns, with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. A Celebration of Life for Penny Malesky will follow the memorial service at 4:30 p.m., at the Banquet & Conference Center of DeWitt, 1120 Commerce Drive, DeWitt, MI 48820. www.bccdewitt.com. Cocktails and appetizers will be served at 4:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 5:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Salvation Army.

To learn more about Penny and view her Life Story film, please visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/91672 .