Ella Louise Malarkey

Ella Louise Nixon Malarkey, 90, peacefully passed away in her sleep on the morning of March 15, 2025, at Ohio Living Mt. Pleasant in Monroe, Ohio. She lived a life rich of purpose and love and leaves behind a legacy as a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, daughter, teacher, and trailblazer. Born in Birmingham, PA, on May 12, 1934, to Harriet Winters and Albert Nixon, Louise was a free spirit from a young age. Her love for horses and horseback riding began early at Hidden Valley Ranch, and she spoke fondly of the Greer School for Girls. These formative experiences shaped her adventurous nature and independent spirit, qualities that remained with her throughout her life.

In her early adulthood, Louise began her professional career as a secretary in the football office at Penn State University in University Park, PA. She cherished her time in State College, sharing an apartment with her dear friend Shirley Richardson and her sister, Janet Nixon Scalzi. In 1960, Louise married Donald R. Malarkey at the chapel at Penn State University. Together, they raised a family of three daughters: Dawn, Cynthia, and Heather. As a supportive wife, she helped manage their growing family and accompanied Don as his career took them from Butler, PA, to Monroe, OH. Throughout her life, Louise was dedicated to both her family and her professional pursuits. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education from Miami University of Ohio while raising her daughters, later working as a substitute teacher in the Middletown School District. Her passion for the arts led her to a pivotal role with MiddFest, a cultural arts festival in Middletown, OH, where she showcased the artwork of countries like Mexico and Luxembourg, enriching the community. Her tenacity and creativity brought the art and archeological worlds alive when she convinced the US government to allow an Egyptian mummy to be shipped to Middletown Ohio for the Middletown Fine Arts Festival.

Later, Louise served as the Director of Communications for the Warren-Clinton County Community Alcoholism, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board in Lebanon, OH and remained in this position until she retired. During this time, she took pride in her hard work to get a tax levy on the ballot to support the local school district. In 2000, Louise was named Outstanding Woman of the Year by the State College Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), an honor she deeply treasured. She remained active in retirement, volunteering at the annual AAUW book sale in State College, PA. Among the many passions that filled her life were her family, her love for the arts, horses, cowboys, Roy Rogers, witty banter with her granddaughters, Penn State football, and her fondness for In-N-Out milkshakes, along with Rod Stewart, Blue Bloods and chocolates. She will be remembered for her vibrant personality, her strength of character, and her unyielding independence.

Louise was preceded in death by her daughter, Cynthia Jordan Bell; her husband, Donald R. Malarkey; her sister, Janet Scalzi; and her brothers, Frank and Bill Nixon. She is survived by her brother, Robert Nixon; daughters, Dawn Talbot and Heather Sheaffer; and granddaughters, Katherine Bell, Hannah Sheaffer, and Olivia Sheaffer.

A service to celebrate Louise's life will be held Sunday March 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St, State College, PA 16801. A brief graveside service will follow.

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