Helen L. Moloney, age 87, of Springfield, OH, and formerly of Sandusky, OH, died Friday, September 7, 2018, at the Forest Glen Health Campus.
On June 5, 1931, Helen was born in Crawford County, Ohio, one of the twelve children of the late John and Martha (Hetler) Barkley. She was raised in Marion, where she graduated from Marion Harding High School.
One fateful day in Marion, Helen caught the eye of a young athlete from the rival school, Thomas “Ed” Moloney. They were truly meant for each other, and were quickly married on September 20, 1952, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marion. Together they shared 41 years of marriage, and lovingly raised six children. Ed preceded her in death on September 9, 1994.
Helen started working as a bank teller, until she was needed at home to care for her husband and growing family as a loving homemaker. As a family, they moved up to Sandusky County in the 1950’s, where they remained for the majority of their lives. They were members of the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Sandusky, and she enjoyed volunteering for the Golden Buckeye program in that area.
Having a green thumb, Helen enjoyed tending to a huge vegetable garden every year, canning whatever they didn’t eat and the kids didn’t throw at each other. She also loved making ceramics to enjoy as holidays decorations and as gifts for her beloved family.
While Helen had a way of getting your attention and keeping you in line, she also had a great sense of humor that would keep you laughing and smiling for hours. Most important of all to her was her family, whom she overflowed with love for.
Left to cherish her memory are her five children: Rebecca “Jean” Moloney of Springfield, Joan “Joni” (Kurt) Reynertson of Goodyear, AZ, David (Debora) Moloney of Castalia, OH, Andrew Moloney of Buckeye, AZ, and Mary (Jesse) Sterlin of St. Paris, OH; 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Mary Stafford, and Jean Hodges; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, Helen was preceded in death by her son, James Moloney; seven brothers: John “Carl”, Elmer, Howard, Ralph, Glenn, Don, and Richard Barkley; and two sisters: Dorothea Van Meter, and Marguerite Philbrick.
Her family will greet friends from 12:30 – 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 13, 2018, at the Snyder Funeral Homes, GUNDER/HALL Chapel, 347 W. Center St., Marion. Services honoring her life will follow there at 2 p.m. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Marion.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org/donate.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Marion are honored to serve Helen’s family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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