Jennie L. “Sithoo” (Salwan) Malky, age 97, journeyed to her eternal home in heaven on Saturday, November 11, 2023, on the same day as her late husband eight years ago. She was the loving wife of her soulmate of 63 years, the late Francis A. Malky.
Born in Fall River, the daughter of the late Kalil and Hilda (Nimer) Salwan, she was a longtime resident of the city. A graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School and the proud Head Drum Majorette of the Class of 1944, she worked in the engineering department of the former Louis Hand, Inc. for 40 years while also raising a family, before retiring in 1988. In her retirement, Jennie loved to stay active, and worked part time first at NutriSystem, then St. Anne’s Credit Union, and lastly at her favorite, Macy’s Department Store. A natural beauty, Jennie’s vivacious personality and flair for glamour inspired many customers, and she consistently broke sales records at Macy’s, into her 80’s!
An active member of her community, who her family called a “diva,” she was a member of the Women’s Guild at both the Holy Rosary Society and the American-Lebanese Society Women’s Auxiliary, and was an instrumental member of the B.M.C. Durfee High School Alumni Scholarship Fund, serving on the committee in various capacities. In her retirement, Jennie moved to Swansea, and loved her new community. She had countless friends in all walks of life, and was beloved and admired by all who met her - from her peers, all the way down to the friends of her children and grandchildren. A woman of many talents and hobbies, Jennie was a deeply religious and devoted member of her church congregation, an accomplished Arabic home chef, an aficionado of all types of music, a regular member of her local gym (often recognized as member of the month), a skilled seamstress, and last but not least, a glamorous fashionista, who had weekly manicures, pedicures, makeup, and perfectly done hair until her final days.
The cherished family matriarch, Jennie is survived and deeply missed by one daughter, Mona Jean Dumais and her husband Robert of Raynham; one son, Mark F. Malky and his wife Connie of York, South Carolina; five grandchildren, Ryan Malky and his wife Alexis, Ashley Hatsiopoulos and her husband Christopher, Jacob Malky and his wife Angel, Tyler Souza and her husband Adam (a.k.a. “Cuz”); and Keith Malky and his fiancée Meagan Melton; ten beloved great-grandchildren (plus one “Christmas baby” on the way), and numerous nieces and nephews. She was the beloved sister of the late Linda Lataif, Helen Ramey, Mabel Ferris, Mildred Abdallah, Adele Slyby, and Philip Salwan, and some of her favorite memories were spent laughing and feasting with her family every weekend. In her memory, take time today to do something kind for a stranger, and be sure to dress in your Sunday’s best!
Her visitation will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023 from 9:30 -10:45 AM in St. Anthony of the Desert, 300 North Eastern Ave., Fall River followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are invited. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that contributions are made in her honor to the Swan Brook Activities Fund, attn.: Mark Shane, 924 Gardners Neck Rd., Swansea, MA 02777. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, Fall River.
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