"What a wonderful, kind person. I first met Joan when she popped up in my computer class at the Middletown Senior Center. She wanted to improve her spreadsheet skills and was quite the conversationalist. Once class session was over, I found myself stopping in at her office to have a short chat here and there as she enjoyed our conversations and welcomed a break from her computer. Later on, my son, Kyle, needed a mentor for a senior project in high school, and she arranged a meeting with her husband Mark, who then took him on and they chatted for hours over their love of music. When Kyle presented his project for the school talent show (he made a PVC pipe musical instrument), Mark sought out the high school and showed up to cheer him on. A lovely family."
In loving memory of
Joan S. Malkovich
August 21, 1933 - September 3, 2021
Joan Malkovich died September 3, 2021 in Newport, Rhode Island. She was 88.
Mrs. Malkovich was born Joan Anita Shewring on August 21, 1933 at Newport Hospital in Newport, RI. Her parents Douglas Shewring and Elsa (Svensson) Shewring worked for Arthur Curtiss James, a noted 20th century industrialist, which included his residence Beacon Hill House and the Surprise Valley Farm, known locally as the Swiss Village. The family spent their summers at the estate, and resided the rest of the year at the Arthur Curtiss James House in New York City.
She attended PS6 in Manhattan then went to boarding school at the Northfield School for Girls in Northfield, MA where she earned high honors and lettered in lacrosse. She later graduated from Briarcliff Manor Junior College in Briarcliff Manor, NY with an Associate's degree. Mrs. Malkovich made several transatlantic trips with her parents to both England and Sweden, one aboard the Swedish American Line ocean liner MS Stockholm.
She began her professional career as a medical assistant to Dr. William M. Hitzig, a prominent New York physician. In 1955 she joined Dr. Hitzig and Norman Cousins, the editor of the Saturday Review of Literature, in bringing 24 women from Hiroshima, dubbed the "Hiroshima Maidens", who were disfigured by the atomic bomb to New York City for plastic and reconstructive surgery and emotional counseling.
She met her future husband Mark P. Malkovich in Carnegie Hall. He was awestruck by this vivacious woman who let her feathered boa trail behind her down the aisle. They married in 1959 at the Holy Name Church in Manhattan officiated by The Most Reverend, Stephen J. Donahue, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York. Together, they raised three sons and a daughter.
In 1969 the family moved to Waterloo, Belgium where they spent four and a half happy years. After relocating back to the US the family moved to Newport, Rhode Island, the place of her birth. There she supported her husband's passion for classical music when he took over directing The Newport Music Festival. Eventually she, along with her children, became engrossed in the enterprise devoting 35 years in service to the organization until her retirement in 2017. She was a friend and hostess to artists who came to Newport from around the world. She received a gold medal from the City of Newport for her many contributions.
Mrs. Malkovich was an avid reader and lover of animals and thrilled in observing the wildlife surrounding her Prescott Farm home in Portsmouth, RI where she lived since 1987. The ducks, geese, rabbits and birds were dear to her and it seemed they all knew when she came outside that it was time for dinner. She had a sharp wit and an indomitable spirit. She adored the music of Frederic Chopin and could often be heard singing along to one of his works.
Her husband often said that he made friends easily, but it was Joan who kept them. She may have seemed reserved at first, but once you knew Joan she was a most loyal friend to have. She never missed a birthday or anniversary. Tragically, Mark was killed in a car accident in 2010. Joan was devastated but never lost her wonderful spirit and good cheer.
Mrs. Malkovich is survived by her children Mark Malkovich of Newport, RI; Erik Malkovich of Newport, RI; Kent Malkovich of Beaufort, SC; and Kara Malkovich of Portsmouth, RI, and their significant others. She leaves her brother Douglas Shewring and sister-in-law Kathi Shewring of Newport, RI; and a sister-in-law Shirley Christenson of Rockport, MA. She was pre-deceased by her sister-in-law Carol Jean Malkovich and brother-in-law William Christenson.
The family would like to thank the compassionate staff at Newport Hospital. We would like to extend our appreciation to the visiting nurses from Portsmouth Visiting Nurse Home & Hospice and the CNAs that gave her great loving care.
Funeral arrangements are by Memorial Funeral Home. Due to current circumstances, there will be no wake and the funeral will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to a charity of one's choice. Please feel free, however, to share your memories and condolences in the online guest book at memorialfuneralhome.com.
Tributes
"I didn?t know Joanie well but whenever I had the good fortune to meet her, at Newport, she just treated me as an old friend. Such a wonderful lady, who always appeared happy, despite her obvious ailments. I don?t know how you are all going to manage without her quietly radiant presence??..how fortunate I feel to have met her a few times. "
"A beautiful soul. She will be missed, but we are all the better for having known her."
"I just learned of Joan's passing, and the world is poorer for it. Some people are blessings bestowed upon us, and Joan was one of them. We used to share our love of Pepparkakor (Traditional Swedish cookies), and I would bring her some on the infrequent occasions when I made them. Sharing empathy with you Mark, and your siblings. "
"Her voice was as beautiful as her appearance. Her warm smile did shine even in telephone calls across the oceans to me in Sweden. Her words ?Hur mår du min lille gosse?? (How are you my little boy?) will be with me for all times. Joanie always made me feel special all the summers I had the privilege to be under her and the Malkovich wings in Newport. Warmest condolences to you Markie, Kent, Erik and Kara. From Joanies ?lille gosse? "
"Sad to hear about her passing. Joan was a sweetheart. Will miss her very much. "
"Kara, Our thoughts are with you. Your mom was such a special lady. Her contributions to this community were greatly appreciated by all. With hugs and love, Karen, Alan, Chelsea and Esther Bernstein"
"We all lost a dear soul. She will be sadly missed. We had quite a few laughs over the last 30 years"
"Sincere condolences to the family. The world has lost a caring woman and radiant light. "
"Kara, my sincere condolences to you and your family on the tremendous loss of your mother. Our family's prayers are with you. Jo Eva"
"She was such a sweet lady I've known her since I was a little girl. Kara, Ken, Eric and Mark I'm so sorry for your loss my prayers and thoughts are with you. She'll be missed but not forgotten"
"My one (maybe only) memory of Joan or "Mrs Malkovich" as she was known to me has stayed with me my whole life. I was visiting Kent at their house on Narragansett Ave, was it called Starboard House? I was 12 or 13 maybe, in 6th grade. The house was huge and somehow I ended up in the kitchen I think where Mrs. Malkovich was sewing. It was a calm and quiet peaceful 15 minutes or so. I don't know why it stuck with me, but it has ever since. My sincere condolences to you, Kara, and Kent and the rest of your family. We are never, ever prepared for the impact of the loss of our parents. "
"I shall forever miss the small, intimate kitchen gatherings with the little TV, coffee and some interesting kind of snack. Rest easy, Joanie, you earned it"
"Mark, Jr., Eric, Kent, Kara, Please accept our sincere condolences on your loss. Joan was such a lovely and caring person. We feel so privileged to have worked with her during the festivals, and all year long leading up to them. I loved stopping in the office to pick up or drop off, and see her beautiful smile., She always had the time to stop what she was doing and talk....no matter how busy she was! She would always say: "Oh you poor dear, carrying that heavy box". "Sit down for a bit and tell me all about what is new with you", We loved Joan, and hope you all can take solace in knowing that she and Mark are together again enjoying beautiful music. Love, Mary and Roger Dufour"
"My sister, Joanie, hid under the bed when our mother brought me home from Newport Hospital. It wasn?t long before she came around and we were forever best friends. I will forever miss her and She will always be lovingly remembered. God bless you, big sister. Love Dougie"
"Joan was a pillar of music and the arts, a loving wife and outstanding Mother, my sincere condolences. Ben Cerilli "
"Shoestring Joanie. You are a lovely woman. Pretty sure you and Mark are up there enjoying some classical music together. RIP "
"Kara, I am so sorry for your loss. Cheryl ( old Humphrey Leasing)"
"My deepest sympathy goes out to the Malkovich family. Joan was a very special person.and I was fortunate to have known her." Those we love don't go away. They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear. "
"Stunning lady and beautiful addition to our world. RIP Joan, your presence will be missed. "
"A wonderful woman and friend.. I met Mark when he returned to Newport to live.. It was at Perrotti?s Drug Store on Bellevue in 60?s or 70?s..when the concerts were starting up. By his encouragement I became An early volunteer and Joan was always hospitable and happy to greet all of us.. She was heroic along with her children when the Music Festival was passed on So suddenly in later years. I admire her strength and courage.. My sympathies to all the family.. JEANNE Perrotti.."