MALONE

Donna Marie Malone, 63, of London, Ohio, passed away peacefully while in hospice care on the morning of Sunday, February 4th, 2024. She is preceded in death by her loving mother, Marie Malone, and father, Lawrence "Larry" Malone, as well as several brothers and sisters. She is survived by her sister, Barbara (Michael) Reece, her son, Christian Malone, cousins including Valerie (James) Vernaccini, Keith Williams, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She also is survived by her sister of adoptive family, Diana Fulmer, and was preceded in death by Jack and Geneva Fulmer, who became family to her at her darkest hour, as she lost her father at age 18, and who remain a part of Donna and Christian's lives ever since.

Donna loved many people, and loved them dearly. She loved her son with all of her heart, and spent her life making sure that he could pursue his dreams. She saw him graduate from high school, then college, then law school, become a lawyer, and then, as she neared the end of her life, that he was accepted to begin a new career by entering nursing school.

Donna had previously beaten melanoma in 1997 with the help of wonderful surgeons and doctors which were able to render her cancer-free for several decades before she was diagnosed in November of 2023 with pancreatic cancer. Donna was able, with the help of the OSU James Cancer Hospital, Madison Health Hospital, ViaQuest Hospice, and the London Health and Rehab Center to spend two more months in comfort and good cheer with her family and friends.

Until her passing, Donna was devoted to helping others. Even when she was weak, she would never hesitate to help anyone. Donna spent her life working with people, for people. She never entered a restaurant or a hotel where her instincts to make sure everyone was taken care of didn't kick in when she saw something below standard. Donna did not possess the ability to turn off her need to help others, even as her body could no longer keep up with her mind.

Donna struggled with narcolepsy from 2014 until her passing, but through the struggle, she enjoyed reading and interacting with others in the community who also suffer from narcolepsy and cataplexy.

Donna was a native of East Liverpool, Ohio. Although Donna moved away to be with family, and most recently resided in London, Ohio, she always loved East Liverpool and the friends and family she grew up with. Donna resided in the metro Atlanta area for several years in the 80's and 90's, and again in the 2010's. Donna attended East Liverpool High School, the University of Akron, and Kent State University. She leaves behind many "honorary" children and grandchildren, coworkers at Taco Bell locations in Calcutta, Columbiana, and Clarion (Pennsylvania), and the friends of her son Christian, including Joshua (Rebekah) Smith and their son Soren, Brandon (Virginia) Bair, and too many more lives whom she touched to mention. She also leaves behind several dogs whom she loved and loved her dearly, and goes to be with those who have gone to rest, both two- and four-legged. In lieu of flowers, her family suggests a donation to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Donna's memory.

A celebration of Donna's life will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, beginning at 6:00 PM in the Jalisco's Restaurant, 2488 East State Street, Salem, Ohio 44460.

The family is being served by the EBERLE-FISHER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 103 N. Main Street, London, where online condolences for the family may be sent to www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com.