Jeanette "Jan" Maloney

Marie Jeanette Maloney (nee: Sylvester), known to family and friends as simply, "Jan," died November 2, 2024, at Angela Hospice in Livonia, MI. Jan will be remembered as a loving spouse and devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother, a tireless volunteer and advocate and a "hellacious cook." The world is a better place because Jan was in it for 93 years, and her talents, humor and compassion, will be sorely missed.
Jan was born in Detroit, MI in 1931, the eldest daughter of the late Cecile and Adrien Sylvester. She graduated from Saint Mary's Academy in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, in 1949, and from the Detroit Business Institute in 1950. In 1952, she joined Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, as a legal secretary. She paused her career in 1959 to raise a family, returning to Miller Canfield in 1980, where she remained until 1997. In 1999, she became Administrator of the Herrick Foundation, retiring for good in 2002.
Jan met her future husband, Ray (a travel agent at the time), while planning a trip to Europe. A whirlwind courtship followed, with travel itineraries quickly changing to wedding plans. The couple were married in September 1957. Jan and Ray would go on to raise three terrific children, who remained the focus and joy of Jan's life until she passed. Her love for her children was equaled only by the love for her five grandchildren and great grandson. Ray passed in 2008, with his wife of 51 years still by his side.
In 1968, Jan's fourth child, Patrick, died at the age of 6 months from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Jan responded to this heartbreaking loss by volunteering with the local Michigan chapter of The Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Foundation (now known as Tomorrow's Child). She devoted countless hours counselling other grieving parents, giving lectures to students, medical professionals and community members, and advocating for the passage of SIDS legislation in Michigan. In 1981, she was elected to the National Board of the SIDS Foundation, and later served on the National Executive Committee. In 1986, she received the SIDS Volunteer of the Year Award and in 1989, she was the recipient of the State of Michigan Volunteer Award.
In 1998, when Ray was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Jan shifted her volunteer skills to supporting the Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association in its fundraising and advocacy efforts. Jan was especially passionate about the need to support caregivers of Alzheimer's patients and the importance of offering therapeutic programs to those in the early stages of dementia. In 2003, she testified before an appropriations committee of the Michigan House of Representatives, and later met with then Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to advocate for Alzheimer's funding.
Jan is survived by her children, John (Lee), Julie (John Goetz), and Brian; her grandchildren, Austin, Jessica, Samantha, Caleb, and Tao; and her great-grandson, Henry. She is also survived by her sister, Estelle Sylvester.
Family will receive friends Tuesday, November 12, 6-8pm, At A.J. Desmond & Sons, 2600 Crooks Rd., Troy, 48084.
Funeral Mass Wednesday, November 13, 10am at National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, 2100 W. 12 Mile Rd., Royal Oak, 48073.Visitation beings at 9:30am.
Rite of Committal to follow at White Chapel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jan's memory to Angela Hospice in Livonia, MI, where Jan received compassionate and loving care in her final months.