Bessie Malone

eBess was a woman of steadfast faith, incredible strength of character and principles, and unwavering commitment to her family. The Lord called her home on January 8, 2022. She will be dearly missed.

Born in Ontario, Canada, Bess was the oldest of her parents four daughters. Her father was a Lutheran minister and her mother a Lutheran deaconess and registered nurse. She was raised in an unusual home where multilingual dialogue, debate, and searching for truth were regular occurrences around the dining room table. She grew up steeped in curiosity, asking questions, and pursuing a deeper understanding of people and their behaviors. Guests around the table ranged from fellow ministers to the homeless. Live-in guests were refugees from Europe during and after World War II, as well as most anyone who needed help or a meal. This upbringing contributed greatly to her life-long desire to fully embrace every stage of life and face physical, spiritual, and emotional challenges head-on.

Bess left home at 17 to attend nursing school at Deaconess Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. While working there after graduation, she met her husband Dr. Richard Malone. Eight years later at the age of 34, he was drafted as a military physician and began his long career in the U.S. Air Force. Bess became a dedicated military wife and helped her family understand and appreciate the changes and adventures that accompanied each move to a new assignment.

Although she had many accomplishments, her work after losing her fourth child, Michael, to cancer at the age of 19 would have the most lasting value to the community. Stationed in Germany at the time of his diagnosis, she and Michael made multiple air evacuation trips to San Antonio for advanced cancer surgery and treatment. Having experienced firsthand the challenges of traveling and finding accommodations with a very sick child, Bess was moved to start a home where others under similar circumstances could find help, refuge, support, and a place to live while undergoing medical treatment for their child. After his death, she worked diligently to help gather the people and financial support to start what was initially referred to as "The House That Love Built." She was elected as the first president of this community initiative. She always felt it was Gods leadership and direct help that guided the entire process of financing, building, and operating what ultimately became the first Ronald McDonald House in San Antonio, opening in May 1985.

When asked recently at age 93 if she would have chosen any other career or path in life, she emphatically said her choice would still be wife, mother, and homemaker. She was outstanding at all three and used her nursing background, faith in God, natural creativity, and constant desire to understand people to enhance her role at each.

Bess is survived by three of her four children, her oldest son and his wife, Tim Malone and his wife Lee, and Julie Brown and her husband Steve. She is also survived by her grandchildren Sarah Ramos, her husband Erick and their children Daniel and Adriana, Michael Brown and his wife Grace, Matthew Malone, and Christopher Brown, his wife Jaclyn, and their daughter Emily. She is also survived by her sister Nancy Harders and her husband Holton. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Richard (Dick), son Michael, and sisters Naomi (Billie) Doughty, and Charlotte Eberhard.

Her family is deeply grateful for the exceptionally knowledgeable, kind, and dedicated care provided by Juanita Afzal, Registered Nurse from Compassus Hospice.

A Memorial Service will be held

February 12 at 11:00 a.m.

Porter Loring North Chapel

To view the recording of the services click here

The family will receive friends at a reception following the service at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Antonio

4847 Charles Katz San Antonio, TX 78229

Or on-line at rmhcsanantonio.org