Mary Maloley

Mary Maloley, 82, of Lexington passed away Monday, May 11, 2020 at Avamere in Lexington.

Mary was born on September 24, 1937, at Melbourne, Australia, the only child of Alexander and Raifeh (Beshara) Malouly. Her parents died when she was a young child and was raised by her aunt and uncle, Nora and James Batrouney. She received her education from St. Michael’s Grammar School in Melbourne and graduated with the class of 1954. Mary was Head boarder, for which she received the Senior House Boarder Prize. Mary was also an accomplished athlete. Only two girls received triple sports prizes, and one of them was Mary, for Basketball, Hockey and Tennis. She also received a prize for the Best All Round Sports Award.

Following High School, she worked for the National Mutual Insurance of Australia. Mary spent many years traveling the world and visited the USA for two years with her close friend June Martin. In 1961, while visiting the states she met the love of her life, John Maloley. After twelve years of dating, they were united in marriage on February 27, 1974, in Australia. They moved to Lexington, Nebraska in June of 1974, and two children were blessed to this union, John and Amanda. Mary focused her efforts on caring for the home and raising her children.

Mary’s love for the game of tennis was an understatement. She was instrumental in starting tennis leagues when she first arrived in Lexington. Mary and her close friend, Linda Motzner started the Lexington Labor Day Tournament which brought competitors from all over Nebraska and out of the state. They would run the tournament for twenty years (1979-1999) and it is still being played today. Mary fought hard with Linda and along with Kathy Stuckey to bring High School Tennis to Lexington which was added with the class of 1993-94. She was also inducted in the Nebraska Tennis Hall of Fame with the class of 1999.

Mary was a faithful member of the St. George Orthodox Church in Kearney as well as St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Melbourne Australia. Her orthodox faith was a key part of who she was.

Mary wasn’t afraid to express her opinion and you always knew where you stood with her. She treasured her time with family and friends. Mary’s family and friends in Melbourne Australia meant the world to her as well. These friendships were maintained throughout her life including June Martin, John Mansour, Loretta Munnings, Beverley Hore, and many members of the Batrouney and Mansour families.

She leaves to celebrate her life; her husband, John of Lexington; children, John Alexander (Candi) Maloley of Melissa, Texas and Amanda Maloley of Winter Garden, Florida; two grandchildren, Alexander John and Collin Steel Maloley; two brothers-in-law, Nimir (Margaret) Maloley of Kearney and Joe (Linda) Maloley of Omaha; three sisters-in-law, Victoria Salem of Kearney, Wanda Maloley of Lexington and Joyce Spellman of Minden; as well as nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; brothers-in-law, Shibble, Faud, Toffie, Zickie and Andy Maloley, Abdou Salem, John Liakos, and Ed Malooley; sisters-in-law, Sadie Malooley, Leenda Liakos, Virginia Maloley, Bonnie (Maloley) Neff and Lorraine Maloley and Esther Maloley (infant).

Private Family Funeral Services will be held Friday, May 15, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington with Reverend Christopher Morris, officiating.   The funeral service will be streamed live through Facebook live on the Reynolds Love Facebook page.

Visitation will be on Thursday, May 14, 2020 from 4-7 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel with a Trisagion Service to follow at 7:00 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, we will adhere to members of a household who live together may be seated together, but maintain six feet of a part of social distance from other parties. A Trisagion Service will follow at 7:00 p.m. and the recommendation of 10 people or less in the facility at one time will apply.

Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. George Orthodox Church in Kearney or Lexington Tennis Association.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefunerahome.com