Ruth Jane Malley's Obituary
Ruth Jane Malley (1929-2026)
Ruth Jane Malley, age 96, long-time resident of Struthers, Ohio, died at her son’s home in Columbus, Ohio, on April 27, 2026. She was surrounded by loving members of her family throughout her life, and during the last weeks and days of her life.
Ruth was born on August 11, 1929, in Youngstown, Ohio, the youngest child of Slovak immigrants. She was preceded in death by her parents, Anna Kasony(Babinchak) and Michael Kasony; her husband, William J. Malley; her daughter, Cheryl; and two of her grandchildren, infant Neal and infant Laura Lee. She was also preceded in death by her seven siblings and their spouses, Anne, infant Mary Helen, Mike(Lil), Pauline(Willard), John(Mary), Eleanore(George), and Ethel; as well as some of her nephews, nieces, and other family members.
Ruth is survived by her two sons and their partners: William(Margie) & Michael(Ali); twelve grandchildren and their spouses: Brian, Michele, Phil(Holly), Maureen, Bill, Sean(Ashley), Keith, Katie, Jazmin(Chris), Meshach(Grace), EdithAnna, and Finnean; and nineteen great-grandchildren and spouse: Bridgette, Tommy(Nick), Nathanial, Brendan, Madeleine, Matthew, Gabe, Grace, Cal, Zachary, Artemis, Luke, Lillah, Liam, Capri, Ari, Saoirse, Mac, and Roslyn. Ruth is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces. And with her recent years in Columbus, the Erickson and Anderson families have also become part of her beautiful family quilt, and mourn her loss.
Along with her rich family connections (she regularly announced that she had “the best family in the world!”), Ruth also had the blessing of close friendships throughout the many stages of her life. Again, the vast majority of her friends preceded her in death, these include, but are not limited to, her childhood friends, Clara and Martha; her Friday night pinochle buddies, Mary, Betty S., Joyce, and Dorothy G; her longtime friend Ann; and lifelong friends that she became closer to in later life, including Bob, Dorothy B., and Betty D.
Ruth was grateful for the diversity among her family and friends. She would laugh and say how different they each were - each of her children, each of her grandchildren and great grandkids, each of her siblings, each of her friends. She said, “Isn’t this what makes life so interesting? It would be so boring if we were all the same!”
Ruth worked at Dollar Bank from the 1950s to the 1990s. Often working part-time, she was especially known for her ability to “fill in” full-time for short periods in various positions at the bank; when others were unavailable or on vacation, Ruthie could step in and excel at a variety of full-time posts.
Ruth was also a beloved member of Heritage Presbyterian Church. Heritage is an outgrowth of the Slovak Presbyterian Church that her father, Michael Kasony, and two other men helped establish in Youngstown, Ohio, in the early 1900s. Ruth was active at Heritage Presbyterian and its previous iterations, from her childhood until the last years of her life.
Ruth treasured family vacations throughout her life: visits to Lake Erie and Geneva-on-the-Lake, vacations on the Jersey shore and along the Atlantic coast, and, later in life, trips to Las Vegas and various casinos, both near and far. Ruthie also enjoyed different clubs where she “played cards with the girls.” Known for her wit and humor, her love of life shone through in multiple ways: rooting for the Struthers Wildcats, Pittsburgh Steelers, & any of her family’s favorite teams; decorating her home for the Christmas season & attending holiday gatherings with relatives; taking trips to visit family in Florida, D.C., & elsewhere; and much more.
One signature aspect of her life was Ruth’s love of cooking, baking, and offering food to loved ones. Her Slovak halushky(cabbage and noodles), stuffed cabbage, potato soup, and chili over mashed potatoes are just a few of the many special meals deeply appreciated by her family! A woman with a finely developed “sweet tooth,” Ruth was also known for her many scrumptious treats, including her apricot kolachy (mini, moon-shaped Slovak cookies), her homemade strawberry-rhubarb jam, and her lemon meringue pies.
Always a social person with friends and family, in later years, Ruth would often also engage with acquaintances and strangers that she had just met: a bank teller, a waitress at a restaurant, a nurse during a doctor visit, a store cashier - often leaving the other person feeling moved in beneficial ways. (For example, this past year, one rather gruff nurse found herself softening before Ruth’s humor, authenticity, and interest in others. By the end of the visit, the nurse asked, “Would it be okay to give you a hug before you leave?” Ruth replied, “Sure, of course!”)
Ruth Jane (Kasony) Malley engaged the world, especially in her later years, with a profound sense of curiosity and awe; in recent years, on freeway drives, she would look out at the autumn tree colors, the movement of the clouds, or a wintry snow-covered field, and simply say, “Wow”; if there was much traffic, she would sometimes comment on how incredible it was, “All these people… each of them with their own lives, their own interests, each going someplace different. It’s so amazing - so impossible to comprehend.” Ruth modeled for us “an embrace of wonder and an appreciation of the world.”
Those of us who knew and loved her all have little “Ruthie stories” that bring tears and laughter to our spirits. She will be deeply missed, and she will “continue” in so many of us, both family and friends, who have been touched by her spunk, her wry smile, and her loving spirit. Ruthie has been - and will continue to be - a blessing to all who have had the great good fortune of knowing her. As she so deeply modeled gratitude and thanksgiving, we can each be grateful that she continues in us, through us, and with us.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ruth’s name to Heritage Presbyterian Church, 1951 Mathews Road, Poland, Ohio 44514.
Memorials, hopefully with live simulcasting online, are being planned for Ruth in the coming weeks and months in both Columbus and Youngstown, Ohio. For specific dates and details about these upcoming memorials, please contact Michael & Ali Malley at [email protected].
We give thanks for this incredible soul. And, until we meet her again, we send our prayers and blessings to Ruth Jane (Kasony) Malley on her sacred journey.
What’s your fondest memory of Ruth?
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