Helen Maley

1930 - 2025

A longtime Chicora resident, Helen Maley, passed away at 95 years old, just after midnight on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at home with her loving children by her bedside. It is fitting that she went to heaven to be united with her husband, Coonie, on their 73rd wedding anniversary.
On a lovely fall Tuesday, Sept. 23, 1930, while her parents, Edna Ellenberger Buzzard and John L. Buzzard, of Bradys Bend, were trying to can tomatoes, Helen Marie Buzzard decided to be born. She was delivered at home by Dr. Homer Knight, of Kaylor. Helen was the oldest of three children in the family including her brother, Thomas W. Buzzard, and sister, Carolyn I. Buzzard Clark.
Helen married Clarence R. "Coonie" Maley, of Rattigan, on Nov. 2, 1952, at the parish house of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Bradys Bend.
Helen was a hard worker and worked outside her home for many years at E.F. Hays Hardware in Chicora, the unemployment office in Butler and she retired after 25 years of service with ServiStar Hardware Company in East Butler.
She was a past president of Dierken Ritzert American Legion Post No. 642 Ladies Auxiliary and was an active member of First United Methodist Church, now Butler Global Church, in Butler, where she helped cook and serve meals for several years.
Helen was a member of the Chicora Senior Center where she loved to play cards and was also a member of several other card clubs. She loved to cook, bake and can homemade foods. She enjoyed the company of all her family, and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Helen is survived by her son, Ronald F. Maley (Vickie), of Chicora; daughter, JoAnn E. Snyder (Bill), of Butler; five grandchildren, Jessica Maley, John Ruiz (Melissa), Angela Maley, Amanda Maley and David Ruiz; nine great-grandchildren, Lydia Maley, Parker Page, Jozie Cartwright, Olivia Cartwright, Noah Ruiz, Lucy Ruiz, Harry Ruiz, Kai Ruiz and Leilani (Ellie) Ruiz. Helen is also survived by her sister, Carolyn Clark; sister-in-law, Jean Buzzard; nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews; and a number of cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; her mother-in-law and father-in-law; her parents; grandparents; her brother, Thomas Buzzard; her in-laws, Gary Clark, Glenn and Evelyn Maley; and her grandson, Doug Maley.
Helen will be remembered by all who knew her as a kind, helpful, generous and giving person. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by family and friends.
MALEY - Visiting hours for Helen M. Maley, who died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, and from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at STEIGHNER FUNERAL HOME, 111 E. Slippery Rock St., Chicora. Helen's cousin, retired Methodist minister the Rev. Floyd Barnhart, will officiate the service.
Burial will be in Hemphill Cemetery, Chicora.
For more information, visit www.steighnerfuneralhome.com.