Mary Marie Molloy

Mary Marie Bates Molloy, 84, of West Hartford, wife of William D. Molloy died peacefully on Tuesday, February 22, 2005. Born in El Reno, OK to the late Randolph and Stella Corlee Bates she was raised in Ardmore, OK. She attended the University of Oklahoma and was the Band Queen and Sweet Heart of Sigma Chi in 1939 but finished her studies in dietetics at Texas Women?s University graduating in 1942. She lost ?The Battle of Ardmore? and married Bill in 1945. They returned to Connecticut after World War II and have lived, worked, and raised their family in West Hartford for 60 years.She was an active parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Church , their Womens? Club, Mother?s Circle, and was an exuberant volunteer at Brookview Healthcare Center in West Hartford.She was a member of Wampanoag and Tucson Country Clubs, and was an enthusiast of needle point, cooking, reading, scrabble and played bridge to WIN.Her later years returned her to her Southwest roots. She and Bill loved their winter sojourns in Tucson: traveling, exploring, and always having family and visitors. She reveled in her summers at Black Point Beach with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and her extended family and friends. Mary Marie will best be remembered for her embodiment of her faith: acceptance and tolerance of yours while trying to convert you to hers with kindness and compassion.She was a friend to everyone and truly a good person. Besides her husband she leaves her children: Sarah and Bill Riley of Bloomfield, Randy and Eileen of West Hartford, John of Watertown, MA, Tricia and Mark Teich of West Hartford, Michael of Clinton, Jane and Larry Petroski of Seymour, and Mark and Jean of West Hartford, 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She also leaves her sister-in-law Helen T. Molloy of Bloomfield, her brother-in-law Dr. Robert and Lorraine Molloy of Harwich, MA., and many nieces and nephews. Her brother Pete Bates predeceased her. Friends may call on Friday, February 25, from 2 to 4pm, and again from 7 to 9pm at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave. West Hartford. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 26 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 872 Farmington Ave. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle School, 25 Dover Road, West Hartford, CT 06119, Northwest Catholic High School, 29 Wampanoag Dr. West Hartford, CT 06117 or to a charity of your choice.