Elizabeth Maloney

Elizabeth Francis Schenke Maloney was born on April 3, 1927, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She was the youngest of three daughters of Harold W. Schenke and Audrey Mary Carey Schenke. Her sisters Mary and Audrey predeceased her. She spent her childhood in St. Louis, Missouri before moving to Wichita, Kansas when she was in high school. Following high school, she attended college at Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas.

Elizabeth married James Owen Maloney in 1949 and they were happily married for 52 years until his passing in 2001. They had four children. She was a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, and a loyal friend to many.

Elizabeth was a woman of many interests. She was very active raising her children, supporting her husband’s career, and even found time to occasionally enjoy golf and tennis. She excelled at card games and especially enjoyed her regular poker and bridge groups. She was a skilled bridge player throughout her nineties. She was gregarious, vivacious and an active volunteer with the Junior League, Meals on Wheels, and the Catholic Care Center. She was a devout Roman Catholic.

Prior to her passing, she was an active resident of Larksfield Place Assisted Living where she participated in many activities and received wonderful and compassionate care, especially in her final days.

She is survived by her four children, Teresa Flanagan (Brendan), James Maloney (Terrie), Patrick Maloney (Christine), and Mary Bengtson (David). She cherished and is survived by her twenty-four grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

There was a private service for family members. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the Catholic priest retirement fund, PREF-Retired Priests, 424 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67202 or to Wichita Meals on Wheels, 200 S. Walnut St., Wichita, KS 67213.