Shirley Maloney

Shirley Ann Schulz Maloney, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, December 5, 2021.

She was born in Washington, Kansas, on October 9, 1935. She was the youngest of three siblings (Dorothy Johnson and Francis, both deceased). Her parents were Arthur William Schulz and Emma Ann Krisan, both long time residents of Idaho Falls.

A graduate of Idaho Falls High School, Class of '54, she later studied fashion design at Chinard Art Institute in Los Angeles before attending college at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle. Eventually, she moved to Phoenix to attend Arizona State University.

It was in Arizona that she met her husband, Anthony William Maloney (b.1927 - d.2018). They moved to California and were wed in 1965, raising two children there, Christopher Anthoney of  Charleston, South Carolina, and Stefanie Ann of Birmingham, Alabama.

After Chris and Stefanie graduated High School, Anthony and Shirley moved to Sedona, Arizona, where Shirley worked for the City of Sedona. Upon her retirement, they moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho. They were married for 53 years until Anthony’s passing.

Beyond being a wonderful mother, Shirley was an incredibly talented artist (aka LeAnn). Anything she decided to do was done remarkably well. She was a great cook, baking was her specialty. She was a published author, a seamstress, a painter, and a prolific ceramist, just to name a few of the things she enjoyed doing. Her last passion was her yard, filled with flowers and other plantings at her ‘dream house’ located in Idaho Falls. It was at this home that the city awarded her an honorable mention for “Best Yard”. Her homes were always a great source of pride for her.

While living in California, she not only helped Anthony run his businesses, but lovingly raised her children and maintained a comfortable home, all while continuing her education as an artist. During this time, she attended both Ohlone and Chabot Colleges, studying ceramics and operating a small studio.

Her greatest attribute was her desire and willingness to please her family with love and kindness. She was a very generous and selfless person. She cared for her husband, Anthony, until dementia incapacitated her enough that it made the task impossible . . . but she still wanted to keep him at home and nurse him. As a mother she made her children's youthful dreams into reality. She adored her two grandchildren and could not spend enough time with them.

She was a kind and gentle soul who will be missed by those who knew her. The last few years of her life were difficult as dementia stole her memories and her ability to communicate, but somehow, she still made people feel good.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 16, 2021, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 290 7th Street in Idaho Falls. Snacks and beverages will follow. Shirley’s husband, Anthony W. Maloney, who passed away November 18, 2018, will also be remembered.