Obituary of Elizabeth Malone

Elizabeth Malone, 88, died peacefully surrounded by her children on November 29, 2022. The family is grateful to the professionals at Optage Hospice and the staff at Folkestone (Wayzata, Minnesota) for the care, support, and comfort provided to their beloved mother.   

Elizabeth was born February 3, 1934 in Dothan, Alabama.  Her family was involved in local commerce and civic activities. She graduated from Dothan High School in 1952.  She began her higher education career at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia and then, during her junior year, transferred to Trinity College in Washington DC, and graduated in 1956 with a B.A. in English.  And, later in life, she received an M.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 

She and Michael P. Mehr married in Washington DC in February 1957. They had seven children together. Over the years, Elizabeth lived in Texas (San Antonio), Colorado (Colorado Springs/Denver), Wisconsin (Waukesha/Shorewood), Maine (Charlotte), California (Berkeley), Massachusetts (Boston), and, most recently Minnesota (Wayzata). Her time in Washington County, Maine, was of particular significance as she lived off the land with her children and continued a Malone family tradition of active civic involvement.    

Elizabeth lived in Shorewood, Wisconsin for more than 30 years. She is remembered for many things including her kindness to strangers, her Southern lilt, her warm heart, her devotion to Boston Terriers, cooking and serving tasty food, and having a terrific sense of style. She was proudly involved with her children’s and grandchildren’s education and activities, and encouraged many life-changing opportunities for them. Her philanthropic and community service work impacted many local, regional, national, and international organizations, and was an inspiration to her family and those closest.  

She is predeceased by her parents Morris and Annette Malone, her son, Stephen, and her daughter in-law, Rachel Decouteaux (Patrick) as well as husbands Michael Mehr and Janis Kalnajs. Elizabeth is survived by her brother, George Malone (Kathy), as well as her children Michael Patrick Mehr, Jr. of Charlotte, ME; George Malone Mehr (Peg O’Brien) of Wayzata, MN; Anne Liddon Mehr of Ocala, FL; Joseph Tracy Mehr (Fay Shong) of Glen Ellyn, IL; Charles Liddon Mehr of Plymouth, MN; and David Wallace Mehr (Jennifer) of Shorewood, WI; as well as 12 grandchildren who lovingly called her Gamino, two great grandchildren, many adoring nieces and nephews, and legions of friends.  

Memorial services will take place in Shorewood, Wisconsin and in Washington County, Maine at later dates.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the Shorewood (WI) Public Library, and the Milwaukee Art Museum.