Obituary of Jean Beck Malone

Jean Beck Malone, of Whiting passed away April 20, 2011 at home at 85 years old. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Malone in 2000, her son Robert Malone Jr., in 2007, and sister, Helen Beck Gilbert, in 1976. Mrs. Malone is survived by a sister, Amelia Beck Grant of Westbury, Long Island, NY, a daughter, Nancy Malone VanSuetendael and son-in-law, Richard VanSuetendael of Melbourne Beach, FL., and a daughter, Janice Malone, and son-in-law, Walter Skupski, of Jackson. She is also survived by daughter- in-law, Emily Hutchins Malone, of Howell, grandson Scott Malone, of Maine, granddaughter Melissa Malone of Howell, and great grandson, Keith Jeanin. Other surviving relatives include nephews A. Paul Gilbert III of Texas, Stephen Gilbert of Denver, CO and John Gilbert of McGregor, TX, and nieces, Elaine Gilbert Ard of Tulsa, OK, and Alice Thompson of Palm Harbor, FL. Born in Plainfield, she was employed by the Plainfield Courier-News, Toremus & Co., N.Y., Johns Mansville Co, and the Union County Mental Hygiene Society in Plainfield. In 1965, Mr. and Mrs. Malone moved with their family from North Plainfield to Freehold where she lived until moving to Whiting in 2010. She was employed by Welcome Wagon International and the U.S. Census Bureau. Mrs. Malone graduated from Brookdale Community College with an Associate Degree in Humanities. Jean was a devoted, fun-loving mother, who always gave of her time and heart. She was a volunteer for Literacy for Adults in Monmouth County and a Girl Scout leader. As her kids were growing up, she took them ice skating and sledding in the neighborhood. She nursed injured wild birds back to health and instilled in her daughters an appreciation of the outdoors and respect for all living creatures. She had a passion for music and the arts and enjoyed seeing plays and musical events with her daughters and sons-in-law. She loved to sing and play the piano. She also enjoyed bridge and had a wide circle of intimate friends with whom she shared her life. Always adventurous, Jean loved to travel; she spent vacations at Elder Hostels and cruised the seas from the Caribbean to Alaska with her husband, Bob. Jean Beck Malone was a joyful, loving woman and her family and friends will miss her strong, giving spirit. Friends are invited to visit at Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Tuesday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Memorial donations to VNA of Central Jersey, Hospice Department, 176 Riverside Ave., Red Bank, NJ 07701 would be appreciated.