grandma barbara

barbara ann (ridenour) maley 

here she was in her high school senior picture!

my wonderful grandmother passed away on friday january 22nd after suffering a stroke and a heart attack on friday january 15th. she was one tough cookie. her family-only funeral was on thursday january 28th in lodi and it was a simple and beautiful tribute. 


my mom and i worked together on her obituary that was in the lodi news sentinel and the stockton record:


Barbara Ann Maley passed away on Friday, January 22, 2010 at the age of 81.

She was born on October 5th, 1928 in Stockton to Ruth and Irving Ridenour. She attended Needham Elementary School, Lodi High School, and then went on to get her teaching credential at Mills College. 

After graduating college she moved to Carmel where she taught kindergarten at a Pacific Grove elementary school and then transferred to Lodi's Garfield Elementary School where she also taught kindergarten. Teaching was her great passion, and she especially loved teaching children.


She married Louie Maley in June 1951 at Lodi's First United Methodist Church. When they returned from their honeymoon they moved into the home they had built in Lodi where she lived until her final days. They were married for 58 years.
Barbara was a homemaker and her hobby was the love and support of her family. She never ever forgot any of her family members' birthdays or anniversaries. During her childhood she was a member of the Rainbow Girls and then as an adult was involved in Omega Nu. She was a great listener and had a smile that could light up a room. Her positive outlook and happy demeanor inspired everyone who knew her. 

Barbara is survived by her husband, Louie Maley of Lodi; daughter and son-in- law, Cindy and Rich Thawley of Pleasanton; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Alisha and Trevor Thompson of Dublin; grandson, Richard Thawley of Tampa, FL; grandson, Brett Thawley of Pleasanton; great-granddaughter, Shelby Ann Thompson of Dublin; sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Malen Stroh of Lodi; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Joe and Sue Maley of Woodbridge; and many nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the www.lmhfoundation.org, 845 S. Fairmont Ave., Ste. 3, Lodi, CA 95240 or the Shriner's Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 1-800-241-GIFT, or the donor's choice of a worthy charity.


people have gone on and left lovely comments on the lodi news sentinel's website. two were from my grandmother's kindergarten students! talk about making a lasting impact!


To the Family of Mrs. Maley: My heartfelt sympathys go out to all of you. I will never forget what a cheerful teacher she was when I was in kindergarten she was a very special lady and one I have never forgotten about. You were very lucky to have had her so many years remembering how sick she was during my kindergarten class. May the Lord be wilth you all in your time of sorrow! My prayer are with you, Nadine Dawson Thomsen


my mom and i are guessing that grandma was "sick" with morning sickness during that last year of teaching.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Miss Maley as I called her when she was my kindergarten teacher at Garfield was my favorite teacher & I have thought of her often. I am now 62 years old and she was a true blessing. Her kindness & loving manner were never forgotten.
Thank you Miss Maley,
Carol Erickson Reed

amazing.