Venice Louise Maling

Venice Louise Maling passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of December 6, 2024, at the age of 85. She was born in Susanville, California on April 19, 1939, to Magdalen Lilly Shoemake and John Kenneth Standish. She grew up in Anacortes, Washington, spending countless hours on Guemes Island. Whether rowing a boat to Hat Island for camping trips or enjoying the beach with her friends, Venice had an adventurous spirit and loved being with friends.

After graduating from Anacortes High School, Venice embarked on an adventure of her own, taking the train to Washington State University. On that train ride, she met another young woman who was also going to attend WSU and a friendship blossomed that turned into a lifelong bond. They pledged Sigma Kappa Sorority together, and the sisters she met there remained an important part of her life for decades.

One summer while she was visiting Seattle in her college days, her friend introduced Venice to a young Coast Guard guardsman named Albert Maling. It wasn’t long before Venice and Albert were married, and from that moment on, wherever Albert was, Venice called home. After Albert completed his medical residency at Madigan Hospital, the couple settled in his hometown of Sunnyside where they raised their three children. Venice was an active member of the Catholic Church community, made lifelong friends and was very close with the Maling family. She was known for her amazing cooking and her love of hosting dinner parties and bringing great dishes to potlucks. She later finished her BA in Education from Eastern Washington University and often joked that she had attended all of Washington's state schools!

Venice’s love of games, card games and particularly poker, was something she passed on to her children and grandchildren. For many years, she and Albert hosted poker parties, went on trips to the San Juan Islands, and enjoyed camping in the deserts of Oregon and Nevada with their close-knit group of friends. Guemes Island remained a special place to visit as Venice still had family in the area.

When their children were grown, Venice and Albert embraced a new chapter in their lives by moving to Craig, Alaska, on Prince of Wales Island. Venice quickly became involved in the local Catholic church and worked with Albert in his clinic. She made good friends there, too, and found more people with whom she could play games and have potlucks! The couple eventually built a home on the water in Naukati, where Venice continued her passion for sharing her culinary creations with friends and family. She was known as a warm and generous hostess, and her home was always filled with laughter and good food.

As intrepid travelers, Venice and Albert visited far-flung places like Mali, West Africa, and explored Europe. A special memory for Venice was visiting the beautiful city of Venice, Italy, her namesake. Their travels included winter stays in Mexico and Arizona, where they enjoyed the sun with good friends. In 2009, Venice and Albert returned to the Yakima Valley and quickly reconnected with their community. After Albert’s passing in 2013, Venice found great joy in her weekly pinochle games, where she was surrounded by close friends who supported her and made sure she never felt alone. She continued to have fun adventures with friends; touring Basque country in Idaho and going with one of her dearest friends to see Neil Diamond in concert on his final tour!

Venice was preceded in death by her son, Mark, and her beloved husband, Albert, as well as her mother, father, and sisters Patricia, Loretta, Sally, and Julie. She is survived by her children, Matthew and Monica, and four grandchildren: Ian, Avry, Madrona, and Melia. She is also survived by nieces, nephews and many cousins from the Shoemake and Standish families.

A memorial service for Venice will be held at Blessed Sacrament in Grandview, WA, on Saturday, January 25 at 12:00 pm. A rosary will take place at 11:00 am preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Heartlinks Hospice, a wonderful organization that supported Venice in her final months. Those wishing to sign Venice's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com    Smith Funeral Home in care of cremation arrangements.   

Venice’s warmth and generous heart will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. Her memory will live on in the lives she touched and the meals and adventures she shared with those she loved.

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