RIP MsMolly, MeFiBrarian Extrordinaire

January 12, 2017 7:12 AM

A joyous and tearful farewell to MsMolly, a dynamic part of the MeFiBrarian posse. I'd known her briefly in college and then we reconnected doing MeFi Metadata projects and other MeFi nerdery over the past six or seven years. Most recently, after she relocated to Texas to be closer to her family after her cancer diagnosis, Molly became a great postal mail correspondent. While I don't know for certain, I am pretty sure she wrote her own obit. Molly, you were a smiley ray of sunshine in my online life and I was so happy to get to re-know you and work alongside you.
posted by jessamyn (retired) to MetaFilter-Related at 7:12 AM (189 comments total)

Oof, that's sad to hear. But a great obit. Thanks for writing this up.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:16 AM on January 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

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posted by holgate at 7:51 AM on January 12, 2017

It's very sad to hear of her passing, but what a great obituary. Thank you for posting it.

I remember reading some of her comments about having a terminal diagnosis and being blown away by her clear-eyed approach to knowing she had a limited amount of time. I'll miss reading her contributions here; my condolences to her family and friends.

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posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:58 AM on January 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

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posted by ellieBOA at 8:04 AM on January 12, 2017

She was my quonsee this year, which meant that I had the pleasure of going back and reading through some of her posts and comments just recently in order to figure out what to send. I was so impressed by her kindness, her knowledge, her sparkling wit. One of her comments mentioned the songs she wanted to play at her funeral, which I am listening to now as a small tribute.

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posted by everybody had matching towels at 8:06 AM on January 12, 2017 [48 favorites]

📚
My deepest sympathies to all who knew and loved her. 😢
posted by terrapin at 8:12 AM on January 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

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posted by Shepherd at 8:51 AM on January 12, 2017

I just moved to the Houston area last summer, and had the chance to hang out with Molly a couple of times when the area MeFites fielded teams for Geeks Who Drink. She was utterly delightful, bright and funny. I'm grateful that I knew her, however briefly. She will be missed.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 8:57 AM on January 12, 2017 [6 favorites]

That is a beautiful obit, probably one of the loveliest obits I've ever read. My condolences to her family and friends.
posted by areaperson at 8:58 AM on January 12, 2017

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posted by mothershock at 9:00 AM on January 12, 2017

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posted by blurker at 9:04 AM on January 12, 2017

What a beautiful obit to celebrate a beautifully lived life.
posted by bologna on wry at 9:05 AM on January 12, 2017

Oh, damn.

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posted by rtha at 9:08 AM on January 12, 2017

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posted by brennen at 9:15 AM on January 12, 2017

So sorry to hear this and my condolences to those who knew her. I didn't except from her always seeming pretty neat based on her comments here. Her obituary was lovely and made me smile.

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posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:16 AM on January 12, 2017

We were able to enjoy her company at a couple of Houston meet-ups and she was delightful. After that I paid particular attention to her comments and frequently found myself nodding along when I saw a comment by MsMolly.

In the way of library-land, when we met we immediately realized that Molly had interviewed for a job at my institution a couple of years back and that she was an old friend of my boss. I was pleased to add another library friend to my acquaintances, especially one as engaging as Molly.

She was upfront about her diagnosis and I was sorry to know her for such a short time. Her loss is a loss for our community. My condolences to her family.
posted by librarylis at 9:21 AM on January 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

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posted by lalochezia at 9:44 AM on January 12, 2017

God, I'm so sorry to hear this. My name is also Molly, so I always noticed her posts - and then I was diagnosed with cancer shortly after she was, and paid even closer attention. Although my diagnosis was not in the same league as hers, the grace and introspection with which she posted about her illness helped me immensely. I'm feeling intense regret I never told her so.

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posted by something something at 9:50 AM on January 12, 2017 [24 favorites]

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posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:08 AM on January 12, 2017

What a loss.

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posted by crush-onastick at 10:10 AM on January 12, 2017

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posted by supermedusa at 10:14 AM on January 12, 2017

Oh, no. Her username always stood out to me for her funny and thoughtful comments.
posted by Lexica at 10:22 AM on January 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

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posted by epj at 10:53 AM on January 12, 2017

It's so sad to hear this, and like others, I've been so impressed by her approach to this awful diagnosis and situation. Her obit is wonderful.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 11:01 AM on January 12, 2017

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posted by easily confused at 11:05 AM on January 12, 2017

Oh, man.

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Thank you, everyone had matching towels, for the music link.
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posted by misteraitch at 11:23 AM on January 12, 2017

Oh, geez. I'll miss her comments here.

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posted by deludingmyself at 11:24 AM on January 12, 2017

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posted by lazuli at 11:37 AM on January 12, 2017

That is a hell of an obit.

She was one of our finest.

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posted by janell at 11:42 AM on January 12, 2017

I loved reading her words.

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posted by minsies at 12:23 PM on January 12, 2017

Rest in peace, smart, funny, tough and lovely Molly. I'm sorry your friends and your family and even all of us have lost you. But if I read you right, even down to the last sentence: I think you must have lived with such joy. And sure that joy you lived is still alive and warm in crying hearts.
posted by the quidnunc kid at 12:31 PM on January 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

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posted by brujita at 12:44 PM on January 12, 2017

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posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:56 PM on January 12, 2017

That is an absolutely delightful obit. I'm very sorry I didn't know her. Much love to all those who knew her.

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posted by bibliogrrl at 12:59 PM on January 12, 2017

That obit was MeFi worthy even if she hadn't been MeFi's own. She will be missed.

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posted by fjom at 1:00 PM on January 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

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posted by Chrysostom at 1:06 PM on January 12, 2017

Damn. The universe gives (my wife completed her last radiation treatment for breast cancer today) and it takes away.

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posted by COD at 1:27 PM on January 12, 2017 [9 favorites]

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posted by TwoWordReview at 1:34 PM on January 12, 2017

What a lovely obit.
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posted by moira at 2:38 PM on January 12, 2017

A librarian friend pointed me to this article she had written in November.
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 2:44 PM on January 12, 2017 [21 favorites]

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posted by radwolf76 at 2:55 PM on January 12, 2017

I remembered this comment, and this reminded me that I apparently do not give out nearly enough favorites, because I didn't favorite it at the time, and I should have:

IT may not be okay, but YOU will be okay.

Thanks, Molly.
posted by Sequence at 3:06 PM on January 12, 2017 [7 favorites]

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posted by Johnny Wallflower at 3:48 PM on January 12, 2017

This hits me at a particularly vulnerable time, as one of my favorite sisters-in-law has just entered hospice because cancer, at about the same age.

Cancer sucks.

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posted by pjern at 3:50 PM on January 12, 2017

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posted by wheek wheek wheek at 4:18 PM on January 12, 2017

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posted by sarcasticah at 4:25 PM on January 12, 2017

I didn't know her, but her obit makes me wish I had! What a loss, and what a life!

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posted by mochapickle at 5:27 PM on January 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

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posted by gudrun at 6:39 PM on January 12, 2017

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posted by MonkeyToes at 6:42 PM on January 12, 2017

I always recognized her username and enjoyed her helpful comments on AskMe. We were very lucky that she chose to share her words and wisdom with us.

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posted by gatorae at 6:44 PM on January 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

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posted by equalpants at 6:58 PM on January 12, 2017

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posted by masquesoporfavor at 6:58 PM on January 12, 2017

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A fellow Owl.
posted by purpleclover at 7:12 PM on January 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

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posted by bibliowench at 7:36 PM on January 12, 2017

She was my quonsar in 2014 and sent me some of the best pickles I've ever eaten, and a card I believe I still have. Thank you for your kindness then MsMolly. I was reeling a bit from losing a job that quonsmas season and your gift helped.

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posted by ActionPopulated at 7:44 PM on January 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

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posted by Kwine at 9:00 PM on January 12, 2017

What a bright, lovely light she was. I'm so sorry she's gone too soon.
posted by the return of the thin white sock at 9:21 PM on January 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

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posted by one teak forest at 11:12 PM on January 12, 2017

AskMe helped MsMolly pick the music for her memorial service.

How extraordinary she was.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:23 AM on January 13, 2017 [4 favorites]

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posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 6:08 AM on January 13, 2017

Aw crud.
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posted by Kattullus at 6:32 AM on January 13, 2017

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What a lovely obituary and a powerful article jessamyn linked above. What a loss.
posted by Gordafarin at 7:07 AM on January 13, 2017 [1 favorite]

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She was a real gift to our little community here, and she will be missed and remembered.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:11 AM on January 13, 2017 [1 favorite]

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posted by freezer cake at 9:52 AM on January 13, 2017

Hey, everybody! I saw Molly a month ago and even then she was talking about being late on her quansar gift--it was someone in Australia. Although I met Molly in meatspace, I was in other online communities with her and she always talked about MeFi with such fondness. I've always been more of a mefi lurker, but she would send me AskMefis that she thought I could answer and sent ones she thought I'd be interested in. She was a real MeFi evangelist to the point where sometimes she'd share something and be like, "yeah yeah, Mefi again."

And for those of you who hung out with her in TX, she talked very positively about those events to get her out of the house, and watching movies together as highlights of her time there. As a friend who lived far away I can't help but feel thankful for all that.

It is not shocking, but I love seeing how many online communities she touched and the different connections made in her wake.

She may have been MsMolly but I can't help reading it as Miss Molly now. :'(
posted by jennybento at 10:21 AM on January 13, 2017 [23 favorites]

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posted by mogget at 11:29 AM on January 13, 2017

Another good member is no longer with us. Her posts were a treasure, and she always seemed approachable, friendly, and in good spirits.

I'm going to miss her, too.

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posted by PearlRose at 1:22 PM on January 13, 2017

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posted by tel3path at 1:33 PM on January 13, 2017

. Ave atque vale.
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posted by DingoMutt at 3:48 PM on January 13, 2017

damn damn damn.

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posted by valkane at 5:19 PM on January 13, 2017

Some people do death really well.

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posted by readery at 12:27 PM on January 14, 2017

I almost wish I hadn't read her obit, because now I'm sad I never knew her.

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posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 12:51 PM on January 14, 2017 [4 favorites]

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posted by Joey Michaels at 5:50 PM on January 14, 2017

That medium essay is just devastating. So honest, so clear-headed. Just like Molly.

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posted by yellowcandy at 7:46 PM on January 14, 2017

I've had In the Aeroplane Over the Sea stuck in my head a lot lately for what I thought was no reason; maybe this is why. We will miss you, MsMolly.

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posted by ferret branca at 8:02 PM on January 14, 2017 [1 favorite]

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posted by nightrecordings at 9:52 PM on January 14, 2017

Such sad news.
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posted by xingcat at 7:05 AM on January 16, 2017

I always enjoyed reading her comments. She seemed such a neat person.

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posted by fraula at 7:14 AM on January 16, 2017

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posted by Sphinx at 9:05 AM on January 16, 2017

I can't remember ever being so charmed by the voice of an obituary, and her Medium article that Jessamyn posted made me cry. I'm sorry I didn't know her, as I would have liked to have been her friend. My sympathies to those who were.

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posted by Songdog at 4:07 AM on January 17, 2017 [1 favorite]

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posted by Cash4Lead at 7:06 AM on January 17, 2017

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posted by topophilia at 9:06 PM on January 17, 2017

For those interested in making memorial gifts:

Molly requested that donations in her memory be made to ACPMP research foundation or the SPLC. A donation page in her name has been set up on the ACPMP website here. You can also find a link to the SPLC on that page.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 11:23 AM on January 19, 2017 [6 favorites]

I never knew her well outside of trivia night, which conflicted with her chemo on alternate weeks. We will all miss her.

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posted by Gridlock Joe at 12:33 PM on January 19, 2017

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posted by gomichild at 3:43 PM on January 19, 2017

Thank you all. I'm Molly's brother. She loved this place, especially the Green, and I know she would love to hear that her contributions helped people. Extra special thanks to the people she met up with here in Houston for trivia and such, she'd always come back from those happy and relaxed.

And yes, she did write that obit.
posted by BeeDo at 5:07 PM on January 19, 2017 [26 favorites]

Thanks so much, BeeDo.
posted by cortex (staff) at 5:45 PM on January 19, 2017