Carmela “Molly” Malak

CARMELA “MOLLY” MALAK (nee Lombardo), aged 99 years, passed away peacefully on Sunday April 24^th, 2022.

Beloved wife of the late Joseph, loving mother of Joseph T. Malak, MD of Hyde Park, NY; Thomas A. Malak of Sarasota, FL, and Natalie Drake (husband Joe) of Bainbridge Twp.; devoted grandmother of Ryan (Meredith) Drake, Lyndsay Drake, and Joseph Luis Malak; dear great-grandmother of Eleanor Grace Drake. Predeceased by a younger brother Phillip in 1930 and by her beloved brother Anthony (Angela – deceased), cherished daughter of the late Gaetano and Nicolina (nee DiVita) Lombardo; dear aunt to many.

She received the nickname ‘Molly’ in grade school when a teacher wanted to Americanize it.  She graduated from John Hay High School in1941 where she belonged to the National Honor Society.  She attended night classes at Cleveland College and Western Reserve while she worked for Dun and Bradstreet, the Security & Exchange Commission and for 6 years at the Federal Housing Administration as a private secretary to the Chief Architect.  In 1955 she married Joseph Malak, whom she met on a blind date through a special novena her mother made to the Carmelite Sisters. Given her experience at the FHA, she designed and oversaw the building of their 2^nd home in Lyndhurst, where she devoted her life to taking care of her family.  She was a long-time member of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church. She was a long-time supporter of the Christ Child Society and the Carmelite Sisters of Cleveland.  Through the years, Molly and Joe traveled to 18 countries and throughout the United States.  The last 11 years, Molly spent at The Weils of Bainbridge, where she made countless friends and was able to pursue her artistic talents.  Molly had a very special sparkle and personality where she could always point out the goodness in anyone she met. We would like to extend our gratitude to the staff of The Weils for their care, Vinney Hospice of Menorah Park for their extraordinary care and to her devoted personal caregivers.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Christ Child Society of Cleveland or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Family will receive friends Friday, April 29, 2022, from 12 Noon until 1 PM. at the Church of the Holy Angels, 18205 Chillicothe Rd., Bainbridge. Mass of Christian Burial following at 1 PM. Interment All Souls Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID