Helen Marie Buzzard Maley

On a lovely fall Tuesday, September 23, 1930, while her parents Edna Ellenberger Buzzard and John L. Buzzard of Brady’s Bend PA. were trying to can tomatoes, Helen Marie Buzzard Maley decided to be born. She was delivered at home by Dr. Homer Knight of Kaylor, PA. Helen was the oldest of three children in the family including her brother Thomas W. Buzzard and sister Carolyn I. Buzzard Clark. Helen married Clarence R. (Coonie) Maley of Rattigan, PA on November 2, 1952, at the parish house of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Brady’s Bend PA.
Helen was a hard worker and worked outside her home for many years at E.F. Hays Hardware in Chicora, the Unemployment Office in Butler, and she retired after 25 years of service with ServiStar Hardware Company in East Butler. She was a Past President of Dierken Ritzert American Legion Post #642 Ladies Auxiliary, and was an active member of First United Methodist Church, now Butler Global Church in Butler where she helped cook and serve meals for several years. Helen was a member of the Chicora Senior Center where she loved to play cards and was also a member of several other card clubs. She loved to cook, bake, and can homemade foods. She enjoyed the company of all her family and especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A long time Chicora resident, Helen Maley passed away at 95 years old just after midnight on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at home with her loving children by her bedside. It is fitting that she went to heaven to be united with her husband Coonie on their 73rd wedding anniversary.
Helen is survived by her son Ronald F. Maley (Vickie) of Chicora, daughter JoAnn E. Snyder (Bill) of Butler, five grandchildren Jessica Maley, John Ruiz (Melissa), Angela Maley, Amanda Maley, and David Ruiz, nine great grandchildren, Lydia Maley, Parker Page, Jozie Cartwright, Olivia Cartwright, Noah Ruiz, Lucy Ruiz, Harry Ruiz, Kai Ruiz, and Leilani (Ellie) Ruiz. Helen is also survived by her sister Carolyn Clark, sister-in-law Jean Buzzard, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a number of cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence, her mother in law and father in law, her parents, grandparents, her brother Thomas Buzzard, her in laws Gary Clark, Glenn and Evelyn Maley, and her grandson Doug Maley.
Helen will be remembered by all who knew her as a kind, helpful, generous and giving person. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by family and friends.
Visiting hours for Helen M. Maley who passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025 will be held at Steighner Funeral Home in Chicora on Wednesday, November 5th from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM and Thursday November 6th from 9 AM until time of service at 11AM at the funeral Home. Helen’s cousin retired Methodist minister Rev. Floyd Barnhart will officiate the service. Burial will be in Hemphill Cemetery, Chicora PA.