Jeannine B. Mallach

Jeannine Mallach, longtime proprietor of Mallach’s Book Store, passed away on Sunday, February 24.  She was 91 years old.

Jeannine was the loving mother to Jeff (Lynn), Amy, and Sarah. She was a steady and devoted figure in the lives of her grandchildren Jessica Pangborn (Mike), Quincy Harenda (Luke), Savannah (Andrew) Perschke, Cameron Eckert and Steven Buss, who will miss her greatly.  Jeannine had five great grandchildren. She also cherished her time as aunt to Andrew, Timothy and Christopher Archie and Annie Kay, Jenny and Peter Taylor.

Jeannine was born on January 23, 1933, in Watertown, to Edgar and Lauretta Krebs.  She was the second of three daughters. Her beloved sisters Carol Archie and Bobbie Taylor were lifelong friends, preceding her in death.

Jeannine married Gerald Mallach on June 19, 1954.  After serving at the US Army’s Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah from 1956-1958, they returned to Watertown, where Gerald began working with his father Jonas at Mallach’s Pharmacy.

Mallach’s Book Store, at the corner of Main and Third streets, was a fixture in downtown Watertown for 24 years. Jeannine was a proud independent bookseller and active in the American Booksellers Association.  But her primary aspiration was to serve the people of Watertown by providing a welcoming place for readers, hosting book clubs and author’s events and encouraging children and young people to explore the world of books.

Jeannine was involved in the First Congregational United Church of Christ for decades, serving faithfully on the board of the original Gingerbread nursery, the Worship Board and Women’s Fellowship. She also served on the board of the Watertown Public Library, was a charter member of PALS, and was recently named one of the library’s “100 Extraordinary Women.”

Jeannine Mallach’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, March 9 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 120 Kuckkhan Lane, Watertown.  Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. with a service following at 11:00.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Watertown Public Library or Watertown Humane Society.