Maryann "Molly" Karlsgodt

1948 - 2015

Karlsgodt, Maryann "Molly" 06/02/1948 ~ 04/27/2015 POINT LOMA -- Maryann (Molly) MacNulty Karlsgodt was a wonderful wife, mother, friend, and member of the San Diego community with a kind heart and a strong spirit. Molly passed away suddenly on the morning of Monday, April 27th. She had a very rare type of cancer affecting only 1 in 1,000,000 people, which she always joked made her "one in a million." She had a long fight after she found out she had the cancer 12 years ago but everyone who knew her admired how she was always brave and never lost her sense of humor. As she said, she was "one tough cookie," and showed an amazing spirit and perseverance throughout her struggles. She was born in San Diego, went to The Bishop's School, Point Loma High and Pitzer College for her BA. Her husband, Kurt, met Molly at college while he was attending Claremont McKenna College. During their 42-year marriage they had two children, Katie and Stephen. She adored her two grandchildren, John and Amanda, and her daughter-in-law Carmen, who live close by in Los Angeles with Stephen. Her father, Richard P. MacNulty, Esq. and mother, Lois MacNulty, predeceased her. Molly grew up on Pt Loma, where she was a lifelong member of the San Diego Yacht Club. There she first learned to sail with her father, and later taught her children to sail as well. She was a member of the San Diego Junior League, the Silver Gate Elementary PTA, a Girl Scout Leader, and was never happier than when feeling useful and organizing everything and everyone. Molly had a big, open, accepting heart; she loved her family, and to her, almost everyone could be like family. She was an amazing documenter and historian, and created beautiful memories for everyone she knew. For over 30 years she taught elementary school with San Diego Unified School District, moving to Encanto Elementary midway through her career, because she wanted to work somewhere where she really could make a difference. In her role as a teacher she touched many lives. She loved living near the ocean, and was the one to arrange everything from family bonfires to beach picnics for the whole neighborhood, and was always among the first to jump in the water. Her Christmas parties, which created wonderful holiday memories for neighbors and friends, will be a beautiful tradition that will live on. She also loved Montana and spent many, many summers there with loved ones and friends in the family house on Flathead Lake. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 9 at Point Loma Presbyterian Community Church Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Greater Polson Community Foundation. www.greaterpolsonfoundation.org.