Methuen, MA-Dr. John K. Mallen passed away Thursday morning at Portsmouth Hospital at the age of 88.
Dr. Mallen was born in Lawrence, MA, the son of the late Kannan and Minnie (Khoury) Mallen. He was fluent in speaking, reading and writing Arabic which he learned at a young age. He graduated from Lawrence High School and went on to attend Tufts College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1943. He entered the US Naval Service during World War II, began medical school and received his medical degree from Tufts Medical School in 1947, completing both college and medical school in 6 years.
Upon return from his military service, he held an internship and residency at Doctors Hospital in Washington, DC, where he treated and befriended dignitaries from Ireland and the Middle East. He completed his residency and specialty training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Bon Secours Hospital in Baltimore, MD and became Chief Resident under the tutelage of the world renowned Dr. Emil Novak.
In 1951, he enlisted in the US Air Force, and married his wife, Yvonne Arragg. He served at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, FL for two years, was promoted to the rank of Captain, became the Chief of the Obstetrics and Gynecology service and delivered over 1,000 babies. While there, he built much of his office furniture which he used throughout his years in practice.
In 1953, Dr. Mallen established his medical practice in Lawrence where he worked for many years before relocating to Salem, NH. Early in his practice, he initiated the purchase of radium and established radiation therapy treatment for cancer patients at Bon Secours Hospital in Methuen, MA.
He was an active member of the staff at the Bon Secours/ Holy Family Hospital and Lawrence General Hospital as well as the former Clover Hill Hospital. He served as chief of OB-GYN at Lawrence General Hospital and the Bon Secours/ Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. He also served on the medical executive committee at both hospitals for many years and was a longtime member of the Continuing Medical Education Program Committee.
Dr. Mallen was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Diplomat of American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology. He was active in many other medical societies. Dr. Mallen loved his work, and he greeted each day with energy and enthusiasm. He had an extremely busy solo, private practice, delivering close to 15,000 babies over his 34 years in obstetrics. When he retired from obstetrics, he continued his practice of gynecology and assisting in surgeries until 2004. He cared for his patients and those in the community who could not afford care, and he was always available to provide support and guidance for friends and family members with medical concerns.
Dr. Mallen had a zest for life and living. With his heartwarming smile, amazing energy and positive attitude, he took life’s challenges head on. He was warm and genuine, fun-loving, and loved to tease. He was always ready for an adventure.
While he loved people and was well-loved by his patients and all who knew him, his true love was his family. With his wife of 59 years, they raised their family of 5 children. As his family was growing up, his non-working hours were spent with them - whether it was at home, traveling here and abroad, or summering at Seabrook Beach. He often could be found walking on the sand at low tide or riding his bike with his wife and family. As his family grew, his embrace expanded to include sons-in-law and grandchildren. He instilled in his children his passion for education, supporting and encouraging each of their advanced degrees.
As a lifelong learner, he kept up with the latest in the medical field throughout his life. He was an avid investor and had a great love of history, theology and religions. He was well-read and knowledgeable on many subjects, and enjoyed discussing them with others.
He had close ties to his sister and her family, and maintained a special bond with his brother’s family after his brother passed away at a young age. He loved his entire extended family which included brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and embraced them as his own. He had many dear life-long friends.
Dr. Mallen was a man with a tremendous faith in God. It was a quiet faith, but one that guided both his work and his life. He was a member of St. Anthony’s and loved his church.
Dr. Mallen is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Yvonne (Arragg), his 5 children, Pamela Carlson and her husband Clair of Canton, MA, Denise J. Mallen of Saugus, MA, Kathryn A. Mallen of Boca Raton, FL, John K. Mallen M.D. of Methuen and Elizabeth Caruso and her husband Greg of Caratunk, ME; his four beloved grandchildren, Kristin and Lindsay Carlson and Jeremy and Christopher Caruso; one sister, Dorothy Mallen Hanna of Ottawa, Canada, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Shaffie J. Mallen.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends may pay their respects from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, March 28th at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St., Methuen. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday morning, March 29th at St. Anthony’s Maronite Church at 10:30 a.m. with burial to follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Methuen. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dr. Mallen’s name to St. Anthony’s Maronite Church, 145 Amesbury Street, Lawrence, MA 01841 or the Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, or to a charity of one’s choice.For more information or to leave an online condolence, prayer or message please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com