Julia Maliha

Julia Maliha, age 94, of New City passed into eternity on April 26, 2016. She was born in Brooklyn, NY on August 6, 1921 to Charles and Mary Shakal. Julia and her late husband, Jacob (Jack) moved to New City in 1956. She worked at Dexter Press as well as for the Town of Clarkstown in the Personnel Department. Julia was a parishioner of St. Augustine’s Church in New City for over 60 years. She was a member of New City #1 Senior Citizens Club. She watched New City grow from a quiet semi-rural town to a bustling exurban one. Julia was an avid Bridge player as well as a talented baker. Her Christmas cookies were always in demand. She had a biting wit and a great sense of humor. Julia was always full of aphorisms and pithy sayings. She was very stoic and in the face of adversity, always put her trust in God. Julia is predeceased by her husband, Jacob who passed January 8, 1989. She is also predeceased by her sister, Olga as well as brothers, George and John. Julia is survived by her daughter, Grace Maliha-Murray and her husband, Paul of New City, her son, Dr. William E. Maliha and his wife, Maureen of Saugerties, her brother, William Shakal of Brooklyn, her sister-in-law, Diana Shakal of Brooklyn, and her granddaughters, Christina and Alexandra. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Julia did not want to be remembered with sadness and tears. Her wish was for people to remember her with a smile or with laughter. Visitation and Celebration of her life will take place on Friday, April 29, 2016 at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home, 321 South Main St., New City from 2-4 and 7-9pm. A joyous Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 10:00 AM at St. Augustine’s Church in New City. Julia’s earthly remains will be interred next to those of her beloved husband, Jacob in St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Nanuet.