Rosaleen Maloney's Obituary
Rosaleen Maloney, age 89, of Waynesville, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at Bethesda North Hospital.
Our mother, Rosaleen, taught us to love the simple things. She made not only the holidays, but everyday moments feel special—whether placing a wrapped box of oranges and walnuts under the Christmas tree, stirring fudge on the front steps, or making popcorn for family TV night—what might have seemed ordinary to others was, to us, tradition and love.
When we were growing up, she cherished reading her books at bedtime. Our dad would often bring her a bag of dime-store paperbacks that she’d consume in a week. A self-taught seamstress, Rosaleen could sew anything—from school play costumes to wedding dresses. Mom also had a gift for singing—so much so that in the 1950s, she and Dad sang gospel with the Kentucky Hilltoppers on Middletown’s WPFB radio station. Music filled the Maloney house—it was just part of the air we breathed.
Mom was also a creator of sacred meals. Her fried chicken could summon us (and our friends) from anywhere. Her biscuits and gravy, green beans, and canned garden tomatoes made winter feel like abundance. She knew how to stretch a dollar and still make you feel like you were eating like royalty. As a matter of fact, one of our favorite meals was her fried potatoes and cornmeal gravy. When she heard us talking about this as adults, she said, “Well, Lord have mercy, children—that was our poor meal.” But to us, it was the best thing in the whole world.
In the summertime, she and Dad tended their beloved garden, overflowing with vegetables and flowers—cosmos, State Fair zinnias, and blue cornflowers.
She was fiercely protective of her family—the kind of mother who would’ve wrestled a bear for her children and won. Mom was always the first to show up in times of need and the last to leave when someone was hurting. She worried with her whole heart. If a storm was coming, she’d call. If someone needed help in the middle of the night, she’d go—without hesitation.
So many people loved our mom that we eventually had to start calling her Rosaleen, just so she’d know it was us and not one of our friends calling her Mama Rose.
Mom and Dad created a strong and loving home for us in Waynesville, but a part of their hearts never left southeastern Kentucky. Mom carried that place inside her—telling stories of her youth with such tenderness: pulling taffy on the front porch, her poppy’s dinner plate dahlias, her mommy’s forget-me-nots blooming just outside the kitchen window. Those stories, and her deep connection to our Kentucky roots, were woven into our upbringing and the way we saw the world, teaching us how to be tough and tender at the same time. She loved to travel back “down home” as often as possible to visit the land and the family that raised her.
Even as arthritis slowed her down, she kept cooking for family and friends as long as she possibly could—always happiest when feeding the people she loved. She especially loved spoiling her grandchildren, always remembering their favorites and bringing or making treats just for them.
Her deep, steady faith quietly shaped her life. She loved God, her family, and the wild birds that visited her garden—but as we all knew, she was especially devoted to her sweet cat Lulu, who stayed close by her side, even in her later years at Quaker Heights.
Mom influenced us deeply—her children, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren. Each of us learned something—cooking, singing, gardening, sewing—but most importantly, she taught us what it means to be a family.
Rosaleen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles Maloney Jr., in 1981; her daughter, Charlotte Maloney; her parents, Jess and Lucy Fields; four brothers, Charles, George, Donald, and Lonnie Fields; and her sister, Avanelle Gabbard.
She is survived by her six children: Sharon Maloney-Kingan (Darrel), Shelly Chatterelli (Frank Carollo), Heather Maloney (James Noyes), Shannon Maloney (Rhonda), Kevin Maloney (Tara Swimer), and Shawn Maloney (Catherine).
Rosaleen was a proud grandmother to 16 grandchildren: Jess (Jayne) Goode, Josh Burnett, Eli (Amanda) Burnett, Meghan Maloney, Stacey Maloney (Terry Biddle), Ryan Maloney, Chad (Ashley) Maloney, Caitlin Maloney (Daniel), Shayne Maloney (Layla), Christopher (Brianna) Chatterelli, Michael Chatterelli (Desiree Regusci), Nicholas Molen (Claire Ward), Kylin Maloney, Katie Maloney, Sylvia Maloney-Noyes, and Eleanor Maloney-Noyes; 28 great-grandchildren: Seamus, Isaiah, Lincoln, Oksana, Rheanne, Keegan, Samantha, Jackson, Emma, Kellen, Finley, Margot, Langston, Brayden, Cailey, Ayden, Raymond, Beau, Alivia, Eva, Lucia, Joseph, Sullivan, Jasper, Juniper, Silas, Rohan, and Ewan; and one great-great-grandson, Waylon.
A celebration of life will be held from 3:00 to 4:30 PM on Saturday, June 28, at Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville, followed by a blessing and brief moment of reflection at 4:30 PM.
While flowers are welcome, those who wish may also honor Rosaleen’s memory with a donation to a local charity or the Audubon Society, in keeping with her love of nature and giving spirit. Condolences may be shared at www.stubbsconner.com.
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