Sheila Mary Maloney

Sheila M. Maloney of Camden, SC, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 25, 2025, after a long illness. (life) 

Sheila was born on April 26, 1947, to James Woodruff Maloney, Sr. and Elizabeth Hyland Maloney of East Norwich, Long Island, New York. She was born and ascended with grace and wit into her family’s illustrious world of horse racing, training and steeple chasing.  Her father was a prominent horse trainer who was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame and the Aiken Thoroughbred Hall of Fame. Her mother, Lib, was one of the premier show riders during the 1930s and was awarded the Alfred B. MaClay Trophy, at the National Horse Show, in Madison Square Garden in 1934, the highest national award for a junior. Sheila’s childhood was spent living with her family in East Norwich, Long Island, and in Aiken, South Carolina as well as significant time in Warrenton, Virginia with her aunt, Betty Maloney, and cousins, Sharon, Kevin and Chip. 

An accomplished horsewoman from an early age, Sheila was full of adventure from the start.  Her family’s Long Island property had a barn full of horses and ponies.   Ranging from there, Sheila and her friends would explore properties in the area, delighting in the palatial and mysterious ruins of nearby estates and discovering forbidden forests.

Sheila abhorred the confines of school, finding the discipline of nuns quite tiring. Her sights were set on higher accomplishments than rote memorization.  She later attended Bennett College in Millbrook, New York.  Fortunately, it had a riding stable.

Sheila Maloney was a beauty in every way. Legendary trainer Sidney Watters called her the prettiest woman in racing. A gifted rider in the show ring and on the racetrack, a superb horsewoman no matter the discipline.

She was just as lovely in a shadbelly and top hat accepting trophies as she was years later, galloping set after set of high profile stars in muddy jeans and boots for her renowned father, James Maloney.

Beneath all her good looks and shining mane of hair was a steel trap mind, a wicked sense of humor, a nose for the ridiculous and a refreshingly irreverent take on life in general. With her keen eye and sharp wit, Sheila was a delightful friend and gracious hostess.  An avid reader, musician, animal lover, Sheila’s company was an unmatched delight.

Sheila and Jim Hamilton were close companions for many years until his untimely death. After Jim’s death, Sheila continued to live in Camden, SC, training horses, adopting dogs and fending off visitors. She was a generous donor to humanitarian and animal rescue causes.

To understate her impact on those around her, suffice to say she was beloved by many, all happily willing to be accessories to whatever misdemeanors and whimsical adventures she dreamed up.

Sheila was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers J. Stewart Maloney and J. Woodruff (Woody) Maloney, her sister Deborah Maloney and friends Jim Hamilton and Bill Wilson.

Memorials may be made Kershaw County Humane Society, 128 Black River Rd, Camden, SC, 29020  https://kchumanesociety.org;  Fauquier County SPCA, PO Box 733, Warrenton, VA. 20188 https://www.fauquierspca.com; Music Maker Foundation Hillsborough NC, https://www.musicmaker.org.

Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. 

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