Molly Marlow

Although her life was plagued with challenges, Molly Marlow was surrounded by others who deeply loved her. She was gifted in many ways and was the life of the party wherever she went. From the time she was less than two years old Molly seemed to have the world by its tail and was determined to live life on her own terms - a free spirit if ever there was one. It was easy to see that Molly loved being an aunt and that she adored her nieces and nephew. Life will never be the same without her here, but her family and friends will continue to cherish the good times they shared with the woman they so dearly loved.

The seventies were a time unlike any other in American history as there were advances in civil rights and women’s rights in addition to a growing disillusionment of government that fueled a more radical mainstream America than had ever been seen before. This was the decade of The Beatles and Star Wars in addition to popular television shows like All in the Family and Happy Days. It was in 1975 that a young family from Gobles, Michigan, was eagerly anticipating the birth of their new baby. Their wait was over on October 23, 1975, when baby Molly was born. She was the middle of three girls in her family, raised alongside her older sister, Sarah, who was two years her senior and her sister, Megan, who was two years her junior.

Before she was two years old it was clear that Molly was a girl who did things one way and one way only - her way. She was headstrong to say the least, and when she was just 18 months old she even proclaimed to her mother that she would “pee on your carpet” in protest. It was also before she was two that Molly’s passion for swimming began. She was like a fish right from the start, swimming in an Olympic sized pool when she was just 18 months old. By the age of eight Molly was a member of the TAC swim team where she swam circles around most of the swimmers her age and many who were older as well. Not only could she swim amazingly fast, but she could also hold her breath longer than anyone around her. Molly also rode horses and did some barrel racing, and it comes as no surprise that she was talented in this sport as well. She almost always came out on top at Otsego Bresa Del Rio on her horse, Jay.

As a student Molly attended Gobles schools where she excelled in her studies. She was a member of the honors society and earned 12 hours of college credits by the time she graduated. Molly was quite a pistol in high school, too, someone who was adventurous by nature and not afraid to take a risk of any kind. She also played basketball in high school.

After high school Molly went on to Michigan State University with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian. Throughout her two years there, however, she seemed to major in partying more than anything else. Shortly thereafter Molly took some time off and worked with her father handling some of the paperwork he generated selling cars. She did continue her education a bit farther down the road as a student at Ferris State University. Molly first earned her associate’s degree and later her bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration. While there she won the student leadership award and was also president of the Allied Health Association.

Those who knew Molly were well aware of her struggles. She began drinking heavily at the young age of twelve, which only continued throughout the rest of her life. Alcohol was always something Molly used in excess and although she had so many people around her who tried to help, she never really truly wanted it for herself. There were times that she was inspired to turn her life around, but her motivation always waned in the end. It was heartbreaking to see how Molly unconditionally accepted others for who they were, but was never able to accept herself the same way.

There were many things Molly enjoyed through the years. She was into jewelry whether she was looking for great finds at garage sales or making her own necklaces with beads and shells. Molly enjoyed reading, too, especially poetry, and she most recently finished reading “Wicked” and books by Cupcake Brown. Her musical taste was rather diverse as she enjoyed both country music and Guns N’ Roses. Molly loved Halloween and lived to dress up in very creative costumes that usually won the costume contest at whatever party she was at. She enjoyed a few vacations including to Florida more recently and hiking in the mountains of Colorado. Gambling was something Molly greatly enjoyed, and she visited casinos both locally and in Las Vegas. She usually did quite well at roulette or craps, and she could often be found at Rio where she was on a first name basis with all the bartenders and dealers. At times Molly also went to Firekeepers Casino, too.

In her own way, Molly touched those around her. She absolutely loved being an aunt, and her nieces and nephew loved her fun-loving spirit and the way she was very much like a kid at heart. Molly went to as many of their events as she was able. She has been described as a socialite who never met a stranger. Molly was bubbly and kind, although she could also be so sensitive that she took everything personally, even if it wasn’t intended in a personal way.

When remembering Molly Marlow we are reminded to hold fast to those we treasure no matter what challenges this brings. She was a passionate woman and truly beautiful with her own unique gifts and talents that enriched the lives of those around her. Molly will be greatly missed.

Molly’s family includes her parents, Chuck and Sharon Marlow; her older sister, Sarah (Jeff) Pernie and their four children, Bridgette, Zachary, Lauren and Caitlin, her younger sister, Megan Marlow; maternal grandparents, George Millhouse and Albena; aunts and uncles, Connie (Bill) Barron and Rod (Roxanne) Millhouse ; and many cousins. Molly was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Maynard and Mossie Marlow. Memorial donations may be made to Kalamazoo Gospel Mission. Please visit www.lifestorynet,com where you can leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.