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Mollie O'Dea Obituary
February 1, 1998 - October 27, 2020
Charlotte, North Carolina - Mollie Gilmore Chun O'Dea (22), took her own life in late October 2020 after struggling for years with mental illness. Mollie was born in China and spent the first 22 months of her life in an orphanage until she was adopted and became an O'Dea. Prior to her illness manifesting at age 15, Mollie was an exceptionally bright, spunky, hilariously funny child and young teen who brought great joy to family and friends. Despite increasing depression, anxiety and mood swings, Mollie graduated with honors from Levine Middle College High School, simultaneously earning her high school diploma and an Associates of Arts degree from Central Piedmont Community College. Transferring to UNC Chapel Hill as a junior, Mollie graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications. At the time of her death, she was employed as a financial advisor at Western and Southern Life.
Mollie is survived by her parents, Dennis and Mary Gail O'Dea, who loved and cherished her, and by her devoted and unfailingly loyal sister, Sally Kivlan Ying O'Dea. Everyone who knew Mollie appreciated the light she shone and also sensed the darkness that eventually snuffed that light out. We are grateful to all who cared about her.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 1510 East 7th Street, Charlotte at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 23, 2021. A reception at the church will follow. All local COVID restrictions will be followed, including required masks.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Mollie's name to Presby Psych at presbypsych.org, a nonprofit mental health center. Donations will be used to increase awareness of mental illness, to reduce stigma, and to expand the accessibility of counseling and to psychotherapy throughout our community.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mollie O'Dea
Kevin X
April 25, 2022
Mollie was a classmate and friend of mine at UNC, I speak in no hyperbole when I say she was one of the funniest and sweetest people I´ve ever had the privilege of meeting. Very few people on campus made me smile like she could, her personality was one in a million.
It´s hard to put into words the feeling when a friend touches your life in a positive way, from the memories of the quirky conversations shared to the little moments you look back fondly on. It´s natural to exaggerate the positive qualities of a person in response to hearing of their passing, but I speak from the bottom of my heart when I say that I could write 5,000 words pontificating about this young lady and exaggeration would be near impossible. I can´t think of anyone more worthy of admiration, she is someone I will always remember.
Mollie, I love you kid. Thank you for all the memories.
John Rudisill
October 22, 2021
Dennis,
I was saddened and moved by your daughter Mollie´s obituary.
I want to commend you on your honesty in publishing the details of her death. Too many times grief turns into shame, and parents suppress the real reasons they tragically lose their children long before they should. Perhaps her story will help other young persons struggling with their mental health and encourage them to get help. I know an attorney who died this week who couldn´t let the world know that his son, a functioning addict, died of an overdose. He carried that repressed sorrow with him to the end.
She was a beautiful young woman. I can only imagine the depths of the sorrow of your family. Try to remember the good times, and may you have the peace that passes all understanding.
ERH
October 11, 2021
I do so admire your openness and honesty knowing that transparency may help someone else. There is always risk in loving... but it's always the right thing to do. God bless you for being a part of the young woman's life. Be at peace.
Antoinette Dixon
October 10, 2021
My condolences and prayers. So sorry for your loss. May your family be comforted and find peace.
Attorney John F. Laderoute
October 8, 2021
May Mollie´s beautiful soul be eternally comforted in the Lord´s generous and never ending love. Rest In Peace.
Falcon
October 6, 2021
I did not know her.
BUT way too Young,
And was TOO Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
william dowling
October 6, 2021
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Rick
October 6, 2021
My deepest condolences to the family, having lost a child as well, I can only hope for the best for the family as you deal with this heartache.
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