Mary Jean (Waddell) Malaby

Mary Jean Malaby, 89, of Norman, passed away with her family by her side on April 2, 2021.

She was born May 14, 1931, in Norman, to Ross and Cora (Fore) Waddell.  The youngest of five children, Mary Jean attended Norman Public Schools and graduated from Norman High School in 1948.  That same year, she married her husband of 72 years, Bill Malaby.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oklahoma College for Women in 1955.  She taught 7th and 8th grade history and English classes for Chickasha Public Schools, before moving to Colorado where Bill worked in the petroleum industry.

After returning to Norman in 1960, Mary Jean was a homemaker who raised two daughters.  She was involved in many of their school-related activities as well as the American Association of University Women, First Christian Church and a Norman china painting club.   

Mary Jean will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt.  Her favorite life moments were spent with her family and extended family.  She loved animals, especially cats and beautiful flowers that grew in her yard.  

In addition to her husband, she is survived by daughters, Marina Symcox (Keith) of Bristow, OK, and Alicia Malaby Feldkamp (Keith) of Gold River, CA; grandchildren, Kevin Symcox (Carolyn Neal) of Tulsa, OK, Carl Symcox of Oklahoma City, Miranda Symcox of Oklahoma City, Ashley Feldkamp of Loma Linda, CA, and Jason Feldkamp of Los Angeles, CA; great-grandson Walter Symcox of Tulsa, OK; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her infant son, William Malaby; parents; and siblings, Charles Waddell, Melba Bishop, Rossine Etchieson and Dean Waddell.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church of Norman.