The worst part of being your President is sending out these notices.
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of Jewels Maloney ’77. And I am sure that our scribes would like to hear from you ([email protected]) to share any reminiscences you have regarding Jewels.
Clippings
Publication: NNY 360
Date: 01/14/25
Text: Julie (Jewels) Elizabeth Maloney, aged 69, passed away on December 16,
2024, in her beloved Sedona, Arizona. For many years she endured
emphysema and ultimately succumbed to end-stage lung disease.
Fortunately, her brother and sister were with her and able to spend
her final days sharing memories, showering her with love and
supporting her through her transition. She died, as she had lived,
with love, grace, and elegance.
She was born on February 19, 1955 in Watertown, New York. Jewels
graduated from Watertown High School in 1973 and Mount Holyoke College
in 1977. She earned a Masters of Education and a Doctorate in
Creativity from The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA in 1992.
Jewels was a dedicated teacher her entire life. In her own words she
often said “I started learning from young children in the early 1980’s
working in early childhood centers in New England and it provided the
foundation for my career and shaped my professional life.” As a
tenured Professor and Chair of the Early Childhood Department at
Montana State University, Dillon, Jewels felt it was her mission to
assist teachers to develop their senses of awe, wonder, joy and
curiosity to ensure they engaged with their future students in this
manner. She was forever an advocate for teachers and a champion for
students in their pursuit of learning.
After moving to Sedona, Arizona, Jewels became a Reiki Master and was
a sought after guide for spiritual exploration on the Red Rocks. In
2012, she joined the faculty of Atlantic University as a professor in
the Masters in Transpersonal Studies program where she influenced and
inspired many students. The day before she died, she met with a fellow
faculty member to ensure her students’ coursework was transferred to
another professor. Jewels also traveled extensively through England,
Ireland, Scotland and France with her Magdalene community exploring
the history and legacy of Mary Magdalene.
Jewels was a bright light who brought joy and love to all. Her
enthusiasm for life, her dedication to her family and friends and her
commitment to teaching were all hallmarks of her life. She was a
transcendental Poet and enjoyed playing and singing all kinds of
music. She was also a published author. Her books included: Every
Child is Holy in 2012, Mary Magdalene: The Christos-Sophia Revelation
in 2012, Soul Songs in 2013 and The Christos-Sophia Revelations Vol.
II in 2021.
Jewels was part of a loving community in Sedona and blessed with many
many dear friends who embraced her, honored her and made her life rich
and filled with joy. Her friends were unbelievably helpful and kind to
her throughout her life and, in her final months, visiting often and
bringing her meals and taking her out for drives to be close to the
Red Rocks.
Last summer, Jewels was able to spend six weeks in the Adirondacks at
beautiful Brantingham Lake, New York, where she had spent her
childhood summers, an important location as it has been in her family
for over 100 years. She enjoyed the annual 4th of July family reunion
and spent many quiet days and evenings on the dock and front porch
with her sister and brother and their families, all of whom were
grateful for this special time together.
In her final months, Accord Hospice of Sedona, ensured she was well
cared for. Her team of caregivers were incredibly loving and she
appreciated them all so much. We can never thank them enough for their
service to our sister.
Jewels was predeceased by her father, Robert John Maloney and her
mother, Suzanne Peckham Maloney. Her brother, Robert J. (Jay) Maloney,
sadly passed away just weeks before Jewels’ passing. Being so close in
age, and as the two oldest Maloney children, they had always shared a
special bond. She is survived by her sister Amy Maloney Fowler
(Dickinson) and brother, David Maloney (Gina) and her beloved nieces
and nephews – Randee Lee Weingart, Chelsea Catino, Brennan Maloney,
Megan Maloney, Blake Staley, Greg Staley, Katherine (Katie) Staley
Ingraham, Quinn Maloney and Chloe Maloney. In the last few months of
her life she also relished the birth of three additional great nieces
and nephews. Her joy at each of their births, so close to her passing,
was surely poetic and evidence of the circle of life.
