WILLIAMSBURG— Kimberly Maloney, the CEO of the Williamsburg Pottery, died on April 29 at the age of 71.
Maloney was born in Seoul, Korea, and immigrated to the United States in 1979. Maloney was the widow of founder James E. Maloney, who started Williamsburg Pottery in 1938 as a small roadside pottery stand producing hand-crafted salt-glazed ceramics.
After her husband’s death in 2005, Kim Maloney took over leadership of the family-owned business, guiding it through a critical transition period. In 2010, she led a multimillion-dollar redevelopment project, transforming the once-sprawling warehouse-style outlet into a more modern, European-inspired marketplace.
She rose to become the Chief Executive Officer and helped the pottery become a cherished landmark in Williamsburg.
Her obituary describes her as a respected member of the Williamsburg community and notes that she gave her time and resources to local causes, serving on numerous boards and establishing a charitable foundation to support community services in the area.
The Williamsburg Pottery has announced that it will be closed on May 8 so employees of the pottery can attend Maloney’s funeral.
Services will be held at Nelsen Williamsburg, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg, on May 8 at 2 p.m.