Mary Loretta Molloy Daniel

Obituary of Mary Loretta Molloy Daniel
CHATHAM –
Mary Loretta Molloy Daniel, 72, passed away peacefully with her loving husband, son, and daughter by her side on August 20th, 2025, following a valiant battle with ovarian cancer.
Mary was exceptionally strong and simultaneously wonderfully soft, fiercely independent, loyal, a hard worker, and always very curious and open to the wonders of the world.
The first-born daughter of Tom and Mary (Poniatowski) Molloy, Mary was born on December 17th, 1952 in Detroit, Michigan. The Molloys soon after would move to Levittown, New York where Mary and her dear friends, the "Kool Kats," spent their days going to the beach and riding their sting ray bikes from town to town. At 16, Mary and her friends traveled upstate to the iconic Woodstock music festival.
After graduating from Division Avenue High School in 1971, Mary moved to the Bronx with her brother Tommy. She worked as a waitress at Patricia Murphy's in Manhattan before a cross-country adventure with her friend Donald Kramer. She recalled of that time how frugal and creative they were in their travels on a tight budget, surviving on many potato-based meals along the way. She lived for some time in Colorado with her dear friend Babs before eventually moving to Los Angeles where she worked for a bank and an insurance company, both which she found very interesting. Mary was a dedicated employee who received many accolades for her work.
She then moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she met her husband, Bob. They were together for just over 50 years at the time of her passing. As she would tell it, Mary traveled back to New York for her brother Tom's wedding in August, 1975, and Bob thought he would never see her again, but she came back and they never left each other's sides again, committed partners for life, together through thick and thin.
Mary and Bob married in February, 1976 in Downsville, New York. Her sister Laura was her maid of honor, and Mary returned the favor at Laura's wedding in 1978. They had two children, Tim, and Christine. Before Christine was born, they moved all around the Southwest for Bob's work, a lifestyle which they enjoyed very much and allowed them to enjoy much of the countryside. In 1984, they settled in New York where Mary loved it best and felt most at home. They bought Molloy's Market, a mom & pop meat market, from her parents in Downsville, to become Daniel's market, all happening only two months before Christine was born. They lived there for 40 years. Early on in Downsville, her youngest sister Tina would live with them while she was studying college and Tina's high School sweetheart Shawn would often babysit Christine and Tim during that time.
Running the store introduced Mary and Bob to many wonderful friends in the community who would remain close with them through the years. After the store closed in 1992, Mary began a decades-long career as a caregiver, first as a Certified Nurse's Aide at the Countryside Care Center and later as a Home Health Aide for Delaware County Public Health (which became HCR home care after public health closed), where she worked alongside her sister Laura for many years. Caretaking was central to who Mary was, and she often called Public Health/HCR the best job she ever had. She cared deeply for her clients and received numerous awards, including the Home Care Association of NY for Excellence in Home Care and Dedication to Patients, Community and Agency, and the HCR Home Health Aide of the Year for the Catskill Region. Mary retired early in 2017 after a car accident.
In 2025, Mary and Bob moved to Chatham Center, New York, to be closer to their daughter and her family. Mary cherished this new "lease on life" and the opportunity to make new memories in their new home. In these final months, she was deeply moved by the outpouring of love from family and friends. Her oldest brother, Michael, flew in and for the first time in over 20 years, all the Molloy siblings were together. Her son Tim and grandson Cameron traveled from Ohio to visit with her. Her sister Tina, brother-in-law Shawn, and Bob laid the floor in their new home. Many friends helped expediently pack and bring their belongings from Downsville. Bob and Christine were central to coordinating and executing the move activities, and also lovingly planted and tended to a new garden in the new home. Her sister Laura drove several times from North Carolina to be with her; her brother Tommy drove several times from Long Island; several nieces and nephews came from hours away; many, many friends traveled to visit, or reached out, from all over the country and globe; and Christine and granddaughter Amelia were there every day to care for and love her.
Mary was an avid gardener and had an artist's touch for decorating her home and garden. In earlier years, friends would often drop by for coffee and conversation around her kitchen table. She also loved music, and many fond memories were made around listening to her favorite bands during aimless drives around the Pepacton Reservoir, spontaneously going to music concerts, multiple local live music events with her dear local friends and family, and watching her daughter and son-in-law perform. Her favorites were most certainly the Beatles, Elton John, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and Steely Dan to name a few. But Mary's musical tastes were always expanding, and she still delighted in discovering new artists and songs throughout her life.
She was deeply proud of her children. Her son retired as Master Sergeant after 20 years in the Air Force and continues to work for the USAF as a civilian. Her daughter who administrates a program meant to support health care providers and survivors of sexual assault in New York.
Of all her accomplishments and attributes, Mary's favorite role was being a grandmother to Cameron, Aiden, and Amelia. She adored them and was delighted to dote on them and watch them grow. Mary also cherished her son-in-law, James, and daughter-in-law, Sam. She often shared how glad she was that her children each had found such wonderful partners.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Tom Molloy; her aunts Loretta, Kay, Grace, and Anita; her brother-in-law Steve Kedjierski; and her dear friends Donald and Valerie. She is survived by her loving family: husband Bob Daniel; son Tim (Samantha) Daniel; daughter Christine (James) Kirk; grandchildren Cameron and Aiden Daniel, Amelia Kirk, and MacKenzie (Trevon) Haygood; great-grandchidren Emerson and Andy Haygood; siblings Michael (Susan) Molloy, Tom (Sue) Molloy, Laura (Ron) Meiser, and Tina (Shawn) Shaw; several cousins, nieces, and nephews, each of whom she cherished and loved deeply.
Non-denominational services will be held on Saturday, October 11th at 10am at the church where she and Bob were married at in Downsville (now the Christian and Missionary Church), with a celebration of life to follow. Her cremains will be laid to rest in Paige Cemetery near her parents and brother-in-law Steve. In lieu of flowers, Mary would have loved donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family, online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com