Joann Marie (King) Maleski

Chesapeake, VA- Joann Marie (King) Maleski of Chesapeake, VA and Colrain, MA, died on March 14, 2022 at Brookdale-Virginia Beach Dementia Care Facility where she has resided for the past seven years. She was 76 years old. The middle of five children, she was born to Joseph V. King and Helen R. (Shippee) King on July 31, 1945.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years Eugene F. Maleski, two sons; Michael V. Maleski and his wife JoAnne Carter, and Jason A. Maleski and his wife Kathryn Maleski, and four grandchildren; Charlotte, Joseph, Cecelia and Gabriel. Other survivors are sisters Mary King and her spouse Shirley Keech, and Elisabeth King-Callari and her husband Antonio Callari, and brother Gregory King and his wife Marie Aline King. In addition, she is survived by Aunts Marilyn Brozo and Dorothy Shippee, and Uncle Alanson Stevens, nieces, nephews as well as a multitude of cousins in her large extended family also survive her. Joann was predeceased by her parents and her brother Dennis King.

Joann graduated from Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls, MA. She completed her first two years of college at Framingham State College (MA) and the second two years at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE earning a B.A. Degree. She earned an M.S. Ed Degree (Special Education) at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA.

Joann was a public school teacher in Council Bluffs, IA, Burlington, NC, Portsmouth and Chesapeake, VA with a hiatus to raise her two young sons while they attended Chesapeake Demonstration School. For many years she was an education administrator at Western Branch Primary School and, subsequently, Western Branch Middle School in Chesapeake, VA. She used to say that she came home “overdosed on cute” from the Primary School, but from the Middle School not so much. Joann retired from the Middle School in 2003.

Joann was a gentle, caring human being throughout her life. She always supported the less popular and the underdog, seeing the humanity in people who are overlooked while supporting all just, fair and reasonable causes. She also could assertively advocate for what was respectful and stand up to bullies, manipulators and bigots. She was a humble and gentle person. She cared for everyone in her family and was happy to do so. Her quiet example influenced many people to become better human beings.

A graveside service for Joann will be held Wednesday, June 22 at 1:00 pm at West Branch Cemetery in Colrain, MA

Joann wanted to preserve the natural, rural, bucolic lands of western Massachusetts, therefore, in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Franklin Land Trust, PO Box 450, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370 or online at www.franklinlandtrust.org    

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