Sad News, Jean Malley
08/25/2014

Miranda Brace of the Irish Wolfhound Society Committee and Keith Pursglove, President, The Irish Wolfhound Club, have sent word of the passing of Jean Malley and have shared their tributes to her with us. Jean was known to many of us in the States and Canada, having judged specialties on this side of the Atlantic. The IWCA sends condolences to Jean's family and friends. She will be missed.


Jean and her late husband Dave joined the Irish Wolfhound Club as Associate Members in 1984, becoming full members three years later. Jean joined the IW Club committee in the early 90s, standing down when Dave became secretary, a post he held for fifteen years. After Dave resigned as secretary, Jean rejoined the committee and became secretary herself two years later, a post which she held until her death. She was a trustee of the Rescue Trust and was always at the end of the phone for a hound in need. She was the driving force behind the formation of the Irish Wolfhound Health Group in 2004 and served on the group until shortly before her death. She was the most efficient person I have ever met - if you wanted something done, Jean had it organised practically before you finished speaking. Her organisational skills were well to the fore in the running of the two Health Group seminars and was planning ahead to the next one. She was also a prime mover in the establishment of the forthcoming Dog of the Year contest, to be held in October.

Jean bought her foundation bitch, Senaib Alaftrina Black Lady from Pam Baines in 1984. Jean based her breeding programme on Eaglescrag bloodlines and her first litter, Black Lady to Ch. Solstrand Kaspar produced Ch. Ainsea Dusty Rose who was mated to Ch. Eaglescrag Harvester and produced Ainsea Harvest Moon. Harvest Moon was put to Hibeck Hardy at Rathdaws which resulted in the beautiful Ch. Ainsea Dusty Sim. Jean had  bought in Ballyphelan Bran Beag, one of the four champions from the same litter, bred by John and Pam Sumner. Bran Beag, "Strider"  went on to win 36 CCs, or thereabouts. When mated to Dusty Sim, he produced Ch. Ainsea the Diplomat. And so it went on. Never breeding in quantity but always for quality, Jean's last champion was Ainsea Phoenix Nights, made up in 2010. Jean was a very clever breeder, always knowing what would make a good nick and she produced many champions and foundation stock for owners abroad. Jean also owned one of the first PBGVs in the country but did not continue with them.

A devoted mother and grandmother, it seems just the other day she was dashing down to Portsmouth on baby and cat sitting duty. Everything Jean did, she did well. A warm, caring, efficient person with a great sense of humour, kind and helpful to newcomers and fun to be with. How we will all manage without her, I just do not know. It is hard to put into words everything Jean meant to us in the breed and even harder to do her justice.

Miranda Brace
Irish Wolfhound Society Committee

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When Jean Malley died on August 19th, after a short but devastating illness, many of us in the dog world lost a friend who had been part of our lives to a greater or lesser extent for well over 30 years. I am sure we will all have our own happy memories.

I will always be grateful to Jean and her late husband Dave, for the support they gave to me and to Marilyn, when I myself had serious health problems. 

Jean was so welcoming at her home, to newcomers and to old friends alike. A marvelous hostess, always very ably supported by a marvelous host, Dave.  Jean used to have a small dinner party every New Year’s Eve to which we were always invited, together with other dog friends. These evenings are some of my most happy memories – we never stopped talking and laughing all evening and on a few occasions we even missed the midnight chimes. She always used to have a party after Blackpool show which I am sure will be fondly remembered by many hound exhibitors. 

Many people in this country and abroad will have known Jean through her Irish Wolfhounds and although she and Dave owned and showed Greyhounds and Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen for a time, it is the Wolfhounds which remained her passion.

Although never a prolific breeder by any means, Jean and Dave produced consistently good stock, including many Champions and winning top honours at General Championship Shows and Breed Shows. Her two big winners were Ch. Ballyphelan Bran Beag (Strider) who was bred by Pam and John Sumner, but owned and campaigned by Jean and Ch. Ainsea the Diplomat. In the show ring I always thought Jean was just as active a mover as were her dogs and I was not surprised when she told me that she and Dave had been very keen ballroom dancers. 

Like many people Jean became active in all aspects of the dog world, especially anything concerned with Irish Wolfhounds. She became a much respected and knowledgeable judge at home, in Europe, South Africa, the USA and many other countries. She became a member of the Irish Wolfhound Club Committee and was heavily involved with the Irish Wolfhound Hound Rescue Trust and the Irish Wolfhound Health Group. When Dave became Secretary of the Irish Wolfhound Club, a position which he held for 15 years, Jean was always there to offer help and support. She herself had been Secretary of the Club for the last few years. 

Jean was a very determined lady and whatever task she undertook she always carried it out to the very best of her ability. She was very hard working and made a success of everything she did, from running her boarding  kennel, to designing and to some extent actually building the house they moved to when they retired, to holding great Wolfhound get-togethers. She was kind to newcomers and helpful to all the rescue owners she came into contact with, but like many people in dogs she held strong opinions and was not afraid to voice them. 

She was passed to give CCs in several hound breeds, had judged the Irish Wolfhound Club Championship Show, judged the breed at Crufts in 2013 and had recently been offered her first Hound Group judging at Championship Show level, which she was really looking forward to. When her illness was confirmed, she was forced to cancel several overseas appointments, but she was determined to judge at Windsor this year. This was to be her last appointment, not judging Wolfhounds, but Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen. She thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Jean achieved so much in the dog world and can be justly proud of her time as custodian of our breed and her service to the Club, the IWRT and the IWHG.

She was above all a wonderful mother to Andrew, Karen and Sarah and mother-in-law to Sally, Nigel and John. Her grandchildren gave her great pleasure and she was so proud of all of them. To them I am sure we all send our sincere condolences.

Keith Pursglove
President, The Irish Wolfhound Club