Obituary of Mary Ann Malark

On Thursday, February 23, 2023 our beloved mother, the last matriarch of our family Mary Ann Malark died peacefully at home. She was predeceased by her husband Herbert Stephen Malark and grandson Stephen Malark Gardner. Mary Ann was born of Syrian immigrants. Her father Abbott Hessney came to the United States in 1892. He was a peddler who ended up settling in Manchester, New York. At the time Manchester had become one of the largest railroad stations in the country. Abbott Hessney’s first wife died in 1927. In 1929 he married his second wife Fada. Mr. Hessney and his wife had six children of which Mary Ann was the oldest. Mary Ann Hessney was born February 26, 1929. She worked in a local drug store at the age of 10. She graduated from Manchester High School in 1947. Living in Rochester after graduation she worked at the Monroe Savings Bank while attending classes at Rochester Business Institute. Mary Ann married Herbert Stephen Malark May 14, 1950. They had four daughters. In 1960 she opened her own woman’s apparel shop. Mary Ann and Stephen bought an old estate that had a small building that was originally a barber shop. This small building is where the dress shop was opened with evening hours only. As the business grew, hours expanded along with the size of the building. The original construction was enlarged three times. Mary Ann closed her doors in August of 2003. She served local customers for 43 years. Mary was an active member of the St. Michael’s Orthodox Church in Geneva. New York. She was president for many years of the St. Michael’s Antiochian Women. She served on the church council and was a member of Saint Ignatius of Antioch. Mary Ann is survived by four daughters, Barbara Gardner, Carol Batterby, Mary Lou George (Mikel), Jacqueline Jantzen (Bill), 6 grandchildren, Tod Gardner (Carie), Christopher Batterby, Geoffrey Batterby (Emily), Leah VanScott (David), Jason George (Angela), Bryon George (Jennifer) and 16 great- grandchildren. Also many nieces and nephews. Mary Ann will be buried at Brookside Cemetery after a service and mercy meal at St. Michael’s Orthodox Church, 98 Genesee Street, Geneva, New York at 11 am Thursday, March 2, 2023. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to the American Heart Association and/or American Diabetes Association. To share a memory or express condolences online please visit www.fullerfh.com