Jeanne V. Maleckar

Jeanne Verness King Maleckar, age 86, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at Ames Family Hospice House in Westlake, OH.  Jeanne was born on May 4, 1939. in Erie, PA.  Her parents were Roderick V. and Martha Abbey King.  Jeanne grew up in Girard, PA.   She enjoyed dance and piano lessons and was an outstanding student.

On March 29, 1957 Jeanne met the love of her life, Eugene (Gene) Maleckar, on a blind date in Conneaut, OH.  Jeanne attended Villa Maria College in Erie where she spent her freshman and sophomore years.  Gene and Jeanne married on August 29, 1959 at St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Church and began married life on the shore of Lake Erie in Conneaut.  Jeanne commuted to Villa Maria to complete her junior year.  Jeanne enjoyed a hiatus in her education while she and Gene raised their three children.  Jeanne obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences in May of 1969.  She began her teaching career at St. Francis Xavier Cabrini School.  She then taught Family and Consumer Science in the Ashtabula Area City Schools for 30 years. 

Jeanne was a founding member of the Ashtabula County chapter of The National Organization for Women.  Its members became her sisters and brothers, always.  She was a member of the Ashtabula Area Teachers Association, the Ohio Teachers Association and many other professional Teachers’ organizations.  Jeanne was a member of the Friends of the Conneaut Public Library, the library’s Second Friday Readers group, and the writers’ group.  She also was a member of the Kingsville Public Library’s Village Readers.  She belonged to the Ashtabula County Lake Shore Artists, as well as the artist’s group at Conneaut Arts Center.  Jeanne enjoyed travel throughout the United States and Canada and also enjoyed Viking river cruises abroad.

A devoted wife, mother and grandmother (Bubbi), Jeanne is survived by her three children, Lisa (Michael) Thacker of Strongsville, OH, John Maleckar of Alexandria, VA. and Ann (John) Yurco of University Heights, OH; and grandchildren, James Thacker, Julia (Nicholas) Kunzen, Katie Maleckar, Christopher Yurco and Matthew Yurco.  Also surviving Jeanne are her sister, Miriam King, and her brother, David (Donna) King; nieces Stacey Maleckar, Amy (David) Smith, Jodi Slayton; nephews Todd (Sarah) Watts and Joshua King, as well as numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.  Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene, brother-in-law, Leroy, and Leroy’s wife, Sharon.

Per Jeanne’s wishes, no funeral service will be held.  The family will plan a private celebration of Jeanne’s life to be held in the summer.  Memorial contributions may be made in Jeanne’s honor to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44110-2602. All arrangements have been made by Raisian Funeral Home, 581 Harbor Street, Conneaut. 

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