Molly Storb Hartzell

1928 - 2022

Molly Storb Hartzell, 94, of Waverly Heights (Gladwyne, PA) passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 2nd, 2022, from complications of Lymphoma. She is survived by her loving husband Frank Hartzell, her two adoring children David Hartzell (Christine) and Mimi Hartzell Wrede (Steve), six cherished grandchildren (Victoria and Katie Hartzell, Sander, Will, Missy and Matt Wrede), and her dear brother Ted Storb of Rowayton, CT. Daughter of the late Theodore and Kathryn Storb, Molly was born on February 22, 1928, in Lancaster, PA. She attended Lancaster Country Day School and graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, MA (class of 1949). Shortly after graduating from college, Molly made her way to Boston where she pioneered her career path, pounding the pavement with only the “Help Wanted” ads in hand, landing a job as a social worker at Mass General Hospital. It quickly became apparent that this was Molly’s calling - helping people. While working at Mass General, Molly obtained her Master of Science degree in Social Services (MSS) in 1953 from Boston University School of Social Work, while also serving as a resident intern counseling troubled teens at Bradley Psychiatric Hospital (Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, RI). From Boston, Molly moved to New York City to take a job as a social worker for NY State Charities Aid, in the adoption services department, where she cared for and placed children who were in foster care. She next became a social worker at New York Hospital. While living in NYC, she met her beloved husband Frank, who she married on December 27th,1958, and stayed happily united with for 63 years. Their meeting was fortuitous. Frank had met Molly and one of her roommates at a party. He called their apartment one evening planning to ask whichever one answered the phone for a date. Molly answered and the rest is history. Molly and Frank settled in Wynnewood, PA where they raised their two children and lived a life enriched by the love of extended family. Molly returned to work in 1977 and enjoyed a second career, taking a position as the Executive Director of the Lower Merion-Narberth Coalition for Older Adults, which later became ElderNet. In this role, Molly started an adult daycare center, organized a community based long term care consortium, and advocated for elder rights to the Pennsylvania legislature. She served as Board President and Executive Director of ElderNet for five years. Molly was also a field instructor for the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work, a board member of the Main Line Adult Day Care Center and a member of the National Association of Social Workers. In 1989, Molly became the first Director of Social Work at Waverly Heights, helping families navigate the difficult process of moving loved ones into lifecare. Molly retired to fulltime grandmotherhood in 1998. In 2011, Molly and Frank became happy residents of Waverly Heights themselves, bringing Molly a final chapter of beautiful new friends with whom she had a full calendar of planned activities right up to her passing. Molly’s daughter Mimi spoke of her mother saying “Mom’s main joy in life was people. She adored her family with all her heart. Her smile was magnetic and her love abundant. She remembered every detail about each grandchild and hearing about their lives nourished her soul. Mom effortlessly enjoyed everyone. She harbored no anger ever and only knew love. Her spirit is best expressed by an excerpt from her journal of wishes ¬¬ “Celebrate my life because it has been wonderful to me - friends and family have made it so”. In addition to a career focused on helping others, Molly was deeply faithful and devoted to Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church (BMPC), which she joined in 1967. She served at BMPC on both the Mission and Nominating Committees, as an Elder and, finally, as a Stephens Minister, providing care to members going through challenging times. Molly cherished spending her summers with family and friends on Lake Temagami in Ontario, Canada and at the New Jersey shore in Cape May and Avalon. She was known for both her understated expertise in Scrabble and stealth ability to throw ringers in horseshoes. Molly was an avid reader and active participant in multiple book clubs with friends. Describing his mother, David added “Mom lived her life as a beacon of goodness. She was filled with compassion, cherished human connections, and possessed the unique ability to see the good in everyone. She found joy in celebrations and gatherings, large or small, and was a prolific writer of cards and personal notes for birthdays and other “Hallmark Holidays” and to friends undergoing challenging times. She touched countless lives over her fully lived 94 years.” A Memorial Service for Molly is planned for Friday, June 3rd, 11:00 am at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, 625 Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA, followed by a Celebration of Life Reception. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of a contribution to Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church at the address above or to ElderNet at 9 South Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, in order to perpetuate the worthy causes so dear to Molly. Chadwick & McKinney Funeral Home Inc. www.chadwickmckinney.com