Bridget Maloney

October 30, 1935 - March 16, 2022

10/30/1935 - 03/16/2022

Bridget Maloney, 86, of Wheeling WV passed away on Wednesday, March 16, 2022.

Bridget and husband Don were well known in Wheeling and the Ohio Valley for more than 60 years as co-owner-operators at Seymour Auto Parts for 36 years and the last 20 years as owner-operators of Don’s Auto Parts.

Bridget was born on October 30, 1935 in Wheeling to parents Vincent and Rose (Humway) Villanova.  She grew up in East Wheeling attending Clay School and graduating from Wheeling High School in 1954.  She worked with her mother at the family grocery store (Villanova’s Grocery) and dry cleaners (Kleen “O” Rama) on the corner of 17th and Wood streets before opening her own small grocery store.

In early 1956, Bridget and her best friend Charlotte Rowan wanted to join the local (all male) car club.  The guys in the car club ‘elected’ their member Don as the lucky guy to tell Bridget and Charlotte they could not join the club.  Once the girls joined the car club, Bridget and Don competed in the club drag racing finals where Bridget won the race and trophy.  Following the race, on a challenge from their friends, they switched cars and Bridget won again. Later that year, Don and Bridget (Villanova) were married on October 27, 1956.  They have worked together and have both been members in car clubs since that time.

Bridget was very active in the St. Michael’s community as the Girls Physical Education Teacher in the 1960s and 1970s and the Girls basketball and softball and volleyball coach.  Bridget was directly involved in the organization and was founder and first commissioner for the Ohio Valley Girls Basketball Parochial league including softball and volleyball tournaments throughout from 1966 to 2000.

Bridget and Don were avid supporters of the Wheeling Central Band Boosters and Sports Boosters clubs for both their children and grandchildren.   They were constant volunteers and workers during band events, basketball game and track meets while their children were in school and many years following.

For several years Bridget and Don organized and proudly grew the Ohio County Airport Car Show, along with the airport management staff, into one of the largest car cruise events in the valley.

She will be most missed as a loving and supportive wife, mother and grandmother to the family.

In addition to her parents and her brother Vincent (Junior) Villanova, Bridget was preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years, Donald “Don” Maloney (2021).

Bridget is survived by her two children Janet Fike (David) of Wheeling and Mike Maloney (Laura) of Las Vegas, NV; two grandchildren, Scott Fike of Phoenix, AZ and Stephanie Miller (Tyler) of Wheeling and great-grandson Cameron Lucas Miller of Wheeling.  Bridget is also survived by her older brother, Eugene (Gene) Villanova of Wheeling-South Carolina.

The family held a private ceremony before internment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Bridget’s family members would like to extend our thanks, love and appreciation to all of our friends who have helped out over the years in caring for both her and her husband Don as they faced significant health challenges.  They would also like to thank the wonderful staff at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home for their love and care for Bridget, Don and all visiting friends and family during her time there.

** In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Good Shepherd Nursing Home (Wheeling) in Bridget and Don’s honor at TMCFunding.com

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Alex L Kozlowski
1 year ago

My heartfelt condolences to Bridget’s family and friends.

Frm Billy Myers childern
1 year ago

i used to go to the Auto parts store with dad,Our thoughts an hugs are with your family .Thank you for these wonderful mems …Prayers for family. And May The Lord help you all thru this time of hurt…