Mollie Murphy-Smith

Mollie Murphy-Smith obituary, Alexandria, VA

Mollie Murphy-Smith

Mollie Murphy-Smith Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Nov. 17, 2023.
Mollie Ann Murphy-Smith, known to her loved ones as Mollie, peacefully passed away on October 19, 2023, at the age of 65 in Alexandria, Virginia. Mollie was born on May 26, 1958, in East Grand Rapids, Michigan, to her late parents John Christopher Murphy Sr. and Florence Botticelli Murphy.

Mollie was a beautiful, loving, and dedicated individual who lived life to the fullest. She had a fun-loving spirit and a hard-headed nature that made her a force to be reckoned with. Mollie's competitive nature was evident in her various endeavors, and she always gave her all.

After completing her primary education at Sigsbee and Ottawa Hills High School, Mollie pursued higher education at Michigan State University and Cooley Law School. Following her educational journey, she proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1983 to 1987, where she held the rank of JAG (Judge Advocate General).

Mollie's military associations extended beyond her time in the Air Force. She continued her legal career, serving as an attorney for the U.S. District Court and later as General Counsel for the National Defense University in Washington D.C. Her commitment to justice and the law was unwavering.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Mollie found joy in various hobbies. She cherished time spent with her family and friends, and her love for cooking brought people together. Mollie also found solace in watching sunsets at the beach, diving into the pages of a good book, engaging in lively debates, and sharing laughter with those around her.

Mollie will be deeply missed by her surviving family members, including her brother Danny (Cathy) Murphy, sister Mary Jo (Sue) Murphy, nieces Alise (Shamus) Robinson, Alivia (Josh Richter) Murphy, Alexis Murphy, and Megan (Woody) Woodcox, nephews John Murphy and Bryan (Bre) Murphy, along with her large extended Botticelli family and numerous close friends whom she considered family. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Lt. Col. (Ret) Bradley W. Smith. and sons Joseph Charles Smith and John (Jack) Dewey Smith, her brothers John Christopher Murphy Jr. and Joseph James Murphy as well as her sister Patricia Agnes Murphy.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Mollie's life will be officiated by Fr. George P. Schommer, O.P. on December 9, 2023, at 10:00 AM at St. Dominic Church located at 501 6th St SW, Washington, DC. The Kalas Funeral Home in Oxon Hill, MD, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Mollie's memory will forever be cherished, and her legacy of love, dedication, and laughter will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her.

To plant trees in memory, please visit theĀ Sympathy Store.

Sign Mollie Murphy-Smith's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

June 11, 2025

John Cummins posted to the memorial.

May 10, 2025

Alex Smith posted to the memorial.

November 11, 2024

Patricia Alderman posted to the memorial.

John Cummins

June 11, 2025

My memories of Mollie are as fresh today as they were forty years ago. Some people affect you like that. My condolences to those who loved her as I do still.

Alex Smith

May 10, 2025

Good hang. Decent at croquet. Took care of Jack when Joe went too far. Hard to believe Mollie, Bradley, Joe, and Jack are all gone. Such a massive loss to the Smith Family. Love from WNY.

Patricia Alderman

November 11, 2024

Mollie, the cactus you sent me last year for my birthday, bloomed for the first time this year in honor of you. A living legacy of your beautiful friendship. Each a different wonderful color, as advertised on the pot.

Scott Gower

December 8, 2023

Thankful to have been a friend and a workplace nephew, Counselor. Your legacy is the people you touched, tough love you gave, underdogs you defended, and young professionals you mentored. Until we meet again, I'll treasure the wisdom we shared and laughs we had.

Alan Tuthill

December 8, 2023

News of Mollie passing was devastating. After 46 years 2 months and 10 days I finally got to see her again at Joe's memorial in June. She reminded me that I never made her a spoon ring way back in the day. When I got home I made her 2 which she said fit well and I was finally off the hook. She may be gone from this physical plane but there is a place in my heart where Mollie will live forever.

Susan Lemke

December 8, 2023

Mollie & I called each other "Sister". As Pat reflected, no friend of Mollie went away unloved or unfed. We loved her Italian cooking, but we also had Irish music in common. Here we are singing along to perhaps "The Wild Colonial Boy" at my piano. We have such wonderful memories. "Sister" will always be with us.

Abigail Gardner

December 8, 2023

Mollie was a wonderful, supportive person, both at work and as a friend. She was great to travel with too - the perfect balance between wanting to relax and explore fun new destinations. I'll miss her so much!

Therese Hardiman

December 7, 2023

She will forever be one of my best friends. I will cherish our journey through Cooley, the many adventures including trekking through Europe, but most of all joy and laughter. Safe travels my friend for god has you in his hands. My deepest sympathy to the Murphy, Botticelli and Smith families on your loss. Mollie you will remain in my heart .... Therese Hardiman

Mike Newell

December 6, 2023

I treasure all the good times we had together at "Preservation Society" meetings in the library and her office. Mollie“s no-nonsense Irish attitude kept all of us on our toes while still having a good time. We joked that we may be related, as we both have the Murphy roots from Cork.

Jane Botticelli

December 4, 2023

I always remember Mollie as a bright, beautiful person and, like all the Murphy cousins: funny, smart and of course, stunningly gifted athletically. My love and condolences go out to all the Murphys at this terrible loss.

Single Memorial Tree

Jane Botticelli

Planted Trees

Single Memorial Tree

Marie Botticelli

Planted Trees

Mario Adams-Campos

November 28, 2023

Mollie was always helpful and "to the point" when it came to her feedback. She will be missed by many of us at CISA.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Lisa Botticelli

Planted Trees

Nick Blair

November 20, 2023

Mollie was always happy to talk, we often shared stories of back home in Michigan. She always had time for me... She cared. I will miss her. She will always be a part of the NDU family.

Single Memorial Tree

Gerry Gingrich

Planted Trees

Gerry Gingrich

November 20, 2023

I had many occasions to interact with and gain counsel from Mollie during my 25 years as a faculty member at NDU. She was unfailingly astute in legal matters and carried out her responsibilities with the highest level of integrity. She was thoughtful, clever, warm, and a good friend. Blessing Mollie, I miss you already, Gerry

Pat Alderman

November 18, 2023

Mollie was wonderful. No friend ever left her presence unloved or unfed. She left us way too soon.

Single Memorial Tree

Jessica B/Oriana B/Joe Scroppo

Planted Trees

Jacqueline Witty

November 17, 2023

Sitting in her kitchen, talking for hours, and hours about life love family work. The good, the bad the ugly. Her heart and soul was so beautiful and will forever be missed. Your loving "daughter".

Single Memorial Tree

Sarah and Michael Steinle

Planted Trees

Alise Murphy Robinson

November 17, 2023

Aunt Mollie had a wonderful, contagious laugh and was always such fun to spend time with every summer on the shores of Lake Michigan. I love you and miss you.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Marc Botticelli

Planted Trees

Marc Botticelli

November 17, 2023

I will never forget playing football at the family reunion, on the line, face to face with Molly. She completely ran me over. She was awesome. I love you Molly...marc

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Sign Mollie Murphy-Smith's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

June 11, 2025

John Cummins posted to the memorial.

May 10, 2025

Alex Smith posted to the memorial.

November 11, 2024

Patricia Alderman posted to the memorial.