Jonathan Sholom Malev,90, died Monday, March 3, 2025, at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. He was born in New York City on November 5, 1934, the eldest child of Rabbi William S. Malev and Bella (Gershon) Malev.
Jon attended Dartmouth College and graduated from Columbia College. He married Marsha Amdur in 1957 while a medical student at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Upon receiving his medical degree, he served as a psychiatrist in Germany with the US Army. After Jon’s discharge from the service, the family settled in Houston where Jon established a private practice specializing in geriatric psychiatry. Jon and Marsha had three children: Tanya, Michael (deceased), and David.
Jon married Jane Brooks in 1993. In 2002 the couple moved from Houston to Scarborough, Maine, where they created a new chapter of their life together and fell in love with everything about Maine. Having run the Houston Marathon to celebrate his 50th birthday, Jon was a strong advocate of physical fitness. He played tennis into his 80’s and went regularly to the gym. A masterful chess player, his interest in the game started when he was six and lasted until his last decade. More important, Jon was kind, unconditionally accepting, gentle and non-judgemental. He believed in and supported equality and justice for all.
Jon was predeceased by his parents, his son Michael, and his sister, Judith Malev Amory. He is survived by his wife, Jane, his adult children Tanya Malev Strum (Mark) and their children Will Hollo, Michaela Hollo, Sam Strum (Laken) and Rachel Strum; his son David Malev (Orit) and their children Daniel and Michaela. He is also survived by stepsons Bill (Claudia) and Christopher Brooks and their children Annie Brooks Watson (Devis) and Sophie, Jack, and Jocelyn Brooks, as well as three great- grandchildren.
The family is grateful for the kindness of the medical staffs at the Maine Med Heart Failure Clinic, the Miane Med Intermediate Critical Care Unit and the Emergncy Department, the EMYs of the Scarborough Fire Department (Engine Co. 3) and most especially, Mark Braun, MD for his thoughtful and sensitive profesional care.
Funeral services for Jonathan will be held Friday, March 7, 2025, at 11:30am at Congregation Etz Chaim, 267 Congress Street, Portland, Maine. A reception at the synagogue will follow the service.