Obituary of Rita M. Malark

NORTH CREEK – Rita M. Malark, 99, of North Creek, New York, passed away Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Glens Falls Hospital surrounded by her loving family following complications from congestive heart failure.

A native of Ellenburg, New York, Rita was born on September 1, 1924.   She was the daughter of Charles and Laura (Bushey) Trombley and the eldest of nine children.   On November 19, 1942, she married David D. Malark.  They bought a dairy farm on the Campbell Road in Churubusco, where they raised five daughters.  Subsequently, she gave 29 years of dedicated and outstanding service to the children of Northern Adirondack Elementary School. She touched the lives of so many young people and helped to give them a solid foundation.  She protected them, dried their tears, and gave special hugs.  Rita retired at the age of 80 and knew the value of hard work.

Rita ensured that her five daughters went to college because education was of great importance to her.  She enjoyed traveling the world with her daughter, Laura Mae and son-in-law, John, going for walks, gardening, and playing pitch.  Rita loved making family happy with homemade meals and molasses cookies just like her mother.  She loved her daily rides with John and playing cards every night with Laura Mae.  Her eyes twinkled and her voice was full of laughter at a good story.  Rita was a fierce protector and loved family above all.  There was no person more calming and soothing to talk to when the need arose.  She has an amazing and loving heart.

Rita is survived by daughters, Claire Pierce of Sedona, Arizona, Theresa (Terry) Reome and husband Karl of Dickinson Center, New York, Laura Mae West and husband John of North Creek, New York, and Debra Gromelski and husband Ray of Virginia Beach, Virginia; four grandchildren, Lisa Pierce and husband Martin Maness, Tonya Henderson and husband Kyle, Kyle Reome and wife Reydith, and Alex Gromelski and wife Sarah; and seven great-grandchildren, Bryant Reome, Brittany Reome, Dylan Feimann, Ethan Reome, Kyla Reome, Kylee Reome and Sophia Gromelski.  She is also survived by her sisters, Beulah Whalen and Bertha Barcomb; brother, Leonard Trombley; and brother-in-law, Bill Matthews as well as many nieces and nephews.

Rita was predeceased by her husband, her daughter Joanne and husband Greer Cox, and son-in-law, Arthur Pierce, her parents, and siblings, Richard Trombley and his wife Martha, Laverne Trombley and his wife Theolus, Walter Trombley and his wife Anne, Theresa Powers and her husband Kenneth and sister Marjorie Matthews; and brothers-in-law Roger Barcomb and Bernard Whalen. 

Dr. Tedesco, Sister Donna, Madison and the Tower 6 floor staff of the Glens Falls Hospital have the family’s utmost gratitude for the care Rita received.

Donations in Rita’s name may be made to St. Joseph’s Church, P.O. Box 332, Indian Lake, NY 12842 or Johnsburg Emergency Squad, 624 Peaceful Valley Road, Johnsburg, NY 12843.

Friends may call on Rita’s family on Friday, February 9th from 11am to 12pm at St. Joseph’s Church, 639 Church Rd., Olmstedville, New York.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held immediately following at 12pm. Burial will take place this spring.

Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online condolences and guest book.