I am always with you


Hi everyone, this is Liam. I have the terrible news that Molly died on the evening of Dec 25. I was with her, and was supported by my brother, Shane. She knew she was loved and she is no longer in pain. 

 

Thank you to everyone who cared for her, and for us, over the last two years. We will have a celebration of her life on Sunday, May 26 in Columbus. She wanted people to gather in the spring, when the weather is warmer and the flowers are in bloom.

Here is her last entry, one she wrote in October and asked me to share after she passed:


         



"Please know that I am always with you—in the sound of the cicadas and crickets, in the breeze that blows the leaves in the trees at the Roost, in the creek that runs alongside the Butler Freeport bike trail, in the call of the loon in the Adirondacks, in the mourning dove in the evenings, in the smell of fresh peppermint, in the bold red-orange maple leaf, in the chants on the street opposing injustice, in the community meeting when someone speaks up for the first time to share their story, in the dance party with some serious hip shaking, in the smell of Nutella crepes on a Saturday morning, in the laughter of Fiona and Nora as they goof around together, in the love in all of our hearts."

 

Comments

  1. Elizabeth Andrews ZitelliDecember 27, 2023 at 7:46 AM

    Oh brave, bright soul. In pain for far too long. Gone much too soon.

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  2. What a spectacular person. Love to the whole family.

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  3. We were so lucky to be touched by you, Molly. Thank you for sharing your light with us. - Kate Hickok Stark

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  4. Much love and peace to all of you 💜

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  5. I don’t know what to say. I am heartbroken. I will think of Molly in all of these things and moments and sounds that she mentioned. We are sending all our love and sympathy. We are here for you, Liam and Fiona and Nora. Her memory is a blessing.

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  6. Molly: no one could have passed with more elegance into a place where clearly, from these life affirming photos, you have regained your resplendent self and will live in our hearts, ever-present.

    Liam: although we have yet to meet, I send you my love from Bloomfield NJ just outside of NYC, where you and your family will always be welcome.

    Alison Trattner

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  7. It was such an honor to know Molly. I am thinking of you and yours, Liam.

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  8. C Stonebraker-MartinezDecember 27, 2023 at 11:46 AM

    Molly, you will be forever missed and forever remembered. We will carry on the work for you, though it will be a little lonelier doing so. We love you and we will do our best to support your beautiful family.

    Thank you for all your efforts for public transit, environmental justice, labor rights, anti-racism, economic justice and so much more.

    In my tradition we celebrate our martyrs and #SayTheirNames by proclaiming ¡PRESENTE! It means you are still with us as long as we keep sharing your stories.

    Molly
    ¡Presente!

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  9. Dearest Molly, Dearest Liam, Dearest Fiona and dearest Nora. I have met some of you and have only seen incredible pictures of the littlest. If ever there were proof of both the magic of the universe and the incredible heartbreak of being human, it is in the life and loss of Molly. Though your body has died, Molly, there is no question your spirit lives on in al the way you mention in your post and in all the lives you immeasurably changed by your existence. Thank you thank you thank you thank you for life. And for those who must excrutiatingly mourn the loss of your physical body on this earth, I send my heartfelt support for you that you be as compassionate to yourselves on this journey as you can.

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  10. I will think of you in those moments, and many more, Molly. You were brave until the very end. Forever an inspiration. My eyes water daily thinking of you. I know in my heart that you’re in a better place now. And one day will be reunited with your loved ones for eternity.

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  11. Molly, you will always be remembered and cherished for your joyful living and inspiring us all with your strength. Liam and kids, our thoughts are with you and all the families. None of us is ever “gone”.

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  12. I have few words just now. I haven’t been involved in Molly’s life directly, but I started my teaching career with her dad, and I love both of her parents. I knew all 4 girls when they were very young. I have followed Molly’s journey and I will carry with me her joy and inspiration. My deepest sympathies to all who love her.

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  13. Thank you for sharing this part of yourself and for allowing us to get to know one another once again. Ma ding wa

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  14. What a beautiful soul and bright light Molly was, even through the end of her journey here on earth. May her memory be eternal.

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  15. You've been an amazing Big Sister BBBS. Honored to have been matched with such a wonderful person.

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  16. Molly, we are all better people in knowing you. Thinking of your activism and leadership and love for the community always…an ancestor made too soon…we love you

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  17. Oh Molly. Such a bright light you always were. Much love to Liam, Nora, and Fiona.

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  18. Molly is and will always be a light that shines forever. I will remember you Molly as long as I can breath. Your kindness, love, laughter, dance steps will remain with us all. Love you forever.

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  19. Someone above said it best, "the world needs more Molly's". I became acquainted with Molly and family when I was hired to complete some alterations to their new home. She was so kind, intelligent, witty...I considered her a friend. After hearing of her illness, I kept informed via mutual friends. I hoped/prayed she would prevail. That Molly lost her battle is especially devastating because 8 months ago, my much loved daughter was diagnosed with a similar illness. I now know first hand, the nightmare Molly and her family endured. Life is peppered with pain, it can be hard to see past the sorrow. But neither Molly, nor my Emily would accept that attitude. There is so much joy, kindness and wonder to be found. Whenever I need reminded of that, Molly will be the first person I think of.

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  20. We are very distant friends from North Garden Va. How we loved this whole family with our hearts. We send our love and support to Liam and girls. ❤️❤️❤️

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  21. My deepest condolences. Molly was such a pure spirit. It was an honor to have crossed paths with you at Eagle Rock. I pray your family finds comfort during this incredibly difficult time.

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  22. I will think of Molly in all the ways she mentioned in her final October message!
    She is everywhere!
    She was a force!
    And I will always admire her courage.
    Patricia Andrews

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  23. I am so grateful to have gotten the beautiful opportunity of meeting Molly. She was someone I had talked to/met only a handful of times but left a footprint on my heart due to her strength, power, and undeniable love for life and her friends and family. I know she will live on through all of you. I am holding space for the family and friends. Much love to you all

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  24. Molly lives on through her amazing family and the beautiful work she's done. What a truly positive, loving force she is, and what a legacy she leaves.

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  25. I didn't know Molly, but as a fellow Molly in the Sierra Club family, this brought tears to my eyes!! It's obvious Molly was very well loved by those who knew her, and though her loss leaves the world a little less bright, her spirit still lights the way for all of us in these dreary times. THANK YOU MOLLY FOR YOUR TIRELESS WORK!! Now you can REST sweet soul! Sending so much love and compassion to her friends and family <3 (another) Molly

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  26. Hey Molly, I am sorry to say we've never met at Sierra Club but your loss is surely felt and my heart breaks for your beautiful family. I made crepes with Nutella for my two children on this Saturday morning, and I thought of you. Rest in Peace comrade 🤍

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  27. Rest in power, Molly. We had a chance to work together through Progressive Workers Union in 2020 and 2021 around COVID protocols and layoffs. Your passion and zeal for supporting your fellow union members will be truly missed. It spoke volumes about Molly's character and convictions. She showed up for her fellow colleagues in those tough times. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Molly outside a professional and union capacity; she truly touched the lives of many in the Sierra Club and beyond. My deepest and most sincere condolences to the Nichols family.

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