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Molly Kool Obituary
She died Feb. 25 at an independent retirement community in Bangor where she lived, said her friend Ken Kelly. She was known there as Captain Molly, and there was a lighthouse and a captain's wheel in the hallway outside her room there, Kelly said.
Known in Canada by her maiden name, Molly Kool won her captain's papers in 1939 and sailed the Atlantic Ocean between Alma, New Brunswick, and Boston for five years, Kelly said.
Kool grew up in the village of Alma, where she learned a love of the sea and sailing from her father, a Dutch ship captain. At 23, she made history by earning the title of captain, after the Canadian Shipping Act was rewritten to say "he/she" instead of just "he," Kelly said.
She overcame superstitions about women working at sea and won the respect of her male counterparts as she sailed her father's 70-foot boat in the dangerous waters of the Bay of Fundy, said Mary Majka, who joined Kelly in a fundraising effort to pay to move her ancestral home from Alma to a knoll in nearby Fundy National Park overlooking the bay this spring.
Kool left New Brunswick after marrying Ray Blaisdell, of Bucksport, Maine, in 1944. They were together for 20 years before he died. In the 1960s, she married businessman John Carney, who bought her a boat, which he dubbed the Molly Kool.
Kool also appeared on an episode of "Ripley's Believe It or Not!"
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press
32 Entries
(John 3:5) . . .Jesus answered: “Most truly I say to you, Unless anyone is born from water and spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Monica H.
February 5, 2011
Like Molly, now is the time, while you have life, before the day of your death, to make a good name with God.
(Ecclesiastes 7:1) . . .A name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of one’s being born.
You will be missed...
Henry Vinson
June 30, 2009
I offer my most sincere condolences and deepest sympathy. Eternal rest grant unto the soul O Lord, may the perpetual light shine upon him, may his shoul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
She was a great inspiration and she has been so influential.
Henry W. Vinson
Lindsey Pinkham
March 25, 2009
My Condolences to your family in this difficult time. My grandfather was born and raised in Alma and told me Molly's story many times as a small girl. She was a great inspirations and I think of her story often as I myself went to Maine Maritime Academy and work as the 2nd mate on an oil tanker. She set a high goal for many young girls to follow! Again, my condolences for your loss.
Mr. Washington
March 23, 2009
May Our Heavenly Father comfort you and grant you peace to help you to cope during these difficult days. I offer my sincere condolences to you all. Psalms 34:18.
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Dr. Jeanette Mendelssohn Passty
March 12, 2009
O Captain! My Captain! You are my exemplar and my hero. Thank you for hoisting your sails on behalf of women everywhere. May your next voyage, Captain Molly Kool, be among the Saints in Heaven. Godspeed!
Kim Corbin
March 12, 2009
My condolences to the Carney family.I was so impressed with Molly's acheivements that I profiled her at work in honor of National Women's Months. I am so proud to be the one to recognize Molly in this way. Thank You Molly for all you have done for women everywere. Also thanks to Molly's family. You have a great legacy to follow. Molly was one heck of a Women. She had a life worthy of celebration.
JoDee Nelson
March 12, 2009
I wish young women throughout the world could hear her story! What a woman she must have been. God Bless.
KEN & MARY O'DANIEL
March 12, 2009
WE SEND OUR LOVE, PRAYERS,& CONDOLENCES TO THE KOOL FAMILY,ALL WHO KNEW MRS. KOOL,& WORKED WITH MRS. KOOL.
Shirley Griffin
March 12, 2009
Kool Family:
I am sorry for your loss, may the God of all comfort and tender mercies be with you in your time of grief. 2 Corinthians 1:4
Donna M.
March 12, 2009
My condolences to the Carney family. What a legacy Molly has left you. I am sure her spirit lives in each one of you. Her life is inspirational and I for one would love to know her more through a book and/or the big screen. Again, my condolences for your loss.
Rita Rhodes
March 11, 2009
Thank you, Caption Molly, for paving the way for women to be at sea! May God bless your spirit.
Captain Roberta Kuder
March 11, 2009
May God bless you and your family.Little did I know you were the one that parted the seas for other women to follow. You are the Captain of Captains forever. You will always be remembered for your bold achievements.
Daniels
March 11, 2009
Our condolences to all who loved Molly. (John 5:28,29)
Karen Carney
March 10, 2009
Molly K. Carney was "Gramma Molly" to the Carney kids who loved her stories, humor and zest for life. We agree that 'she' would made a great movie! Thanks - Grandson Mike Carney (Wyoming) and Great-Grand-Daughter Karina Carney Henderston (Texas).
Diana Nichols
March 10, 2009
We will hoist one to you Capt Molly at our next Navy WAVE reunion.
Bravo Zulu, Capt.
Diana USN 65-68
JOANN
March 9, 2009
WHAT A BEATIFULL STORY
REST IN THE LORDS ARMS.
Connecticut, USA
March 9, 2009
Low wake ! As we salute Molly. May she be met at the gates, by the Honor Guard and Sailors in dress blue. Rest in peace dear Lady.
PAUL
March 8, 2009
THIS LADY DESERVES TO BE PORTRAYED ON FILM.
Candace
March 8, 2009
Very inspiring. God Bless you.
Linda Crawford
March 8, 2009
What a woman! God bless you.
Richard K.
March 8, 2009
"Home is the sailor, home from the sea
And the hunter, home from the hill----."
Rest well, Cap'n---. Fair winds at your back.
Catherine
March 8, 2009
You were a remarkable woman, Molly Kool.
God blessed you with a long life and you lived it well. Your voyage is over and now you Rest with the Lord.
. .
March 8, 2009
You were an inspiration Molly! Though I didn't know you personally, your story tells of a challenging yet rich and rewarding life. Rest in the peace of our creator's embrace.
-rmmp
Henryk Zaleski USN (Ret)
March 8, 2009
Fair winds and following seas Captain.
Cathy
March 7, 2009
"Sailors with their built-in sense of order should really be running the world." Admiral Louis Mountbatten
Sheila Smith
March 7, 2009
A life well lived. Rest in Peace Molly.
Muffy
March 7, 2009
Ahoy, St Peter! Pipe Captain Molly aboard!
You just can't keep a strong down-east woman from her goals. Her early work was a small victory for women everywhere, long before the organized movement for equality.
Peace to you, Captain Molly.
D. ZIMMERMAN
March 7, 2009
REST IN PEACE MOLLY KOOL
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