Obituary for Richard Darrell Maley
Dick Maley, 90, of Penick Village in Southern Pines, NC, died surrounded in love on February 3, 2024. He was born on June 15, 1933, in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Lawrence and Louise Maley. Dick was a proud Marine with a big heart and a deep, booming voice. A redhead in his younger days, Dick was also affectionately known as “Red” and “Uncle Red” to his many friends and relatives.
He is survived by his adored “fiance for life” Jane Stanton Diefendorf, with whom he shared a love of college basketball, watching old movies, and visits with their multiple blended families. He is also survived by his four children, all of whom he bragged about with great pride, Kevin (Teresa), Susan (Tim), Paul (Alex), and Mary Bridget (David); grandchildren Seumus, Brett, Meredith, Rives, Taylor, and Cole; and six great-grandchildren. He was a stepfather to Amber (Scott), Brett (Pam), and grandfather to Erin, Pace, and Austin, and one step-great granddaughter. Dick is also survived by many extended family members and friends.
Dick was blessed with the love and companionship of three beautiful wives, all of whom preceded him in death, and who he cared for lovingly. Rosemary Passman-Maley, whom he met at Penick Village (d. 2014); Carol Thompson-Maley (d. 2011), who had also lost a spouse and with whom he shared 17 wonderful years, mostly in the Sandhills; and his beloved, first wife, and college sweetheart, Patricia Saffer Maley (d. 1994), the mother of his four children. He was a brother to the late Larry, Bill, and Pat, he was a fun-loving brother-in-law and uncle in the Maley and Saffer families.
A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Dick attended Central Catholic High School. He graduated from Duquesne University and served his county in the United States Marine Corps. Dick had a successful, rewarding career in the masonry industry. He was Vice-President of Riverton Corporation in Front Royal, VA, relocated to Richmond, VA, working for Southern Brick, Tarmac Corporation, and proudly served as the Executive Director of the Virginia Masonry Council. His last business venture brought him to the Sandhills of North Carolina. He resided both in Southern Pines and Pinehurst before settling at Penick Village, a Life Plan Community, where Dick made many wonderful friends, including his beloved Jane. If you are strolling around Penick Village look for their “Dick and Jane” dedication brick on the Village House patio.
Throughout his life, Dick was involved in community service and with his church congregations, but he was most proud of his volunteer efforts that he engaged in upon retirement. He volunteered to read to the visually impaired, was a driving force behind the construction of a new large facility for the Sandhills/Moore County Coalition for Human Care, and served with the Marine Corps League, where he held various roles for the annual Christmas Toys for Tots Toy Drive. Dick believed every child should have joy in the holiday season and he advocated for serving children in every corner of Moore County. He also was active with the Penick Village Residents’ Council, serving as Treasurer of the Employee Christmas Fund.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Toys for Tots, P.O. Box 37, Pinehurst, NC 28370.
A service celebrating Dick’s life will take place on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 3:00 pm at Penick Village.
Penick Village
The Village House
Hutchins Hall
500 East Rhode Island Ave.
Southern Pines, NC 28387
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Service arrangements have been entrusted to Boles Funeral Home.
