Molly Marie Baich

1934 - 2024

Ms. Molly Marie Baich June 8, 1934 - October 17, 2024 On the morning of October 17th, 2024, Molly Marie Baich passed away peacefully at Kline Galland Home, in Seattle, WA, where she had been a resident for nearly three years. Molly was 90 years old.

Molly was born in Roslyn, Washington, June 8th, 1934, to Milan Baich and Anne Pasquan Baich, both of Croatian descent. Molly's father died when she was very young and she was raised by her mother and her grandfather, Joseph Pasquan, who worked in the local coal mine. Molly was the youngest of three children. Her brother Walter was 4 years older than her. Molly was only about 11 years old when her teenage sister Mildred, 8 years her elder, was killed by a drunk driver. Molly's mother, father, grandfather, brother, sister, and several cousins preceded her in death. These losses left an indelible mark upon Molly's heart and soul.

Molly was very intelligent, talented, caring, congenial and possessed leadership qualities which took its expression in a lifelong nursing and management career. She graduated from St. Elizabeth's School of Nursing in Yakima, in 1955. Subsequently, she was employed in the hospital in Cle Elum where she managed the emergency and operating room and did x-rays and office work as well. It was an extremely busy work environment requiring acute treatment of numerous victims of mining, logging, and car accidents as well as many surgeries. With this vast range of experience, she was encouraged to pursue higher education in nursing.

In 1957, she enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program in nursing at the University of Washington, including public health. Following graduation, she went on to pursue a master's degree, also from the University of Washington, in Nursing Service Administration and upon completion was employed by Providence Hospital in Seattle in 1960. Molly worked in many nursing and managerial roles throughout her long nursing career.

Molly always enjoyed life, family, friends, and hobbies. She loved skiing, biking, hiking, oil painting, many crafts, sewing, cooking, reading, photography, traveling and gardening. She had a special fondness for dogs and birds, influenced by her early life in Roslyn, WA. She had a great sense of humor, a caring and generous heart. She genuinely cared about people and was always ready to help in any way she could.

Molly was a person of strong faith and a heart full of love. She was a lifelong and very involved Catholic. She served as a Eucharistic Minister, was involved with the RCIA program and was among the first graduates of a religious study program at Seattle University. She loved Bible study and took classes whenever possible. When Molly was no longer able to be active with these activities, she welcomed visits from priests and the Legion of Mary who brought her the sacraments.

In her last days, two major surgeries in close proximity were just too much for her failing heart. A week before she died, she had a fervent desire to write letters to all of her friends to thank them for all the beautiful cards, notes, calls and visits over the years. She said she would need a ream of paper!

While in the hospital and barely able to eat, the nurse asked Molly what her favorite food was. She said, "Heaven." She seemed to have a sense of God calling her. Molly believed that her spirit and soul would live on eternally and spoke of her longing to be reunited with her loved ones in heaven. Surely, she has taken all her loved ones with her, in her heart, and is telling God all about them.

Throughout the years, Molly held a special place in her heart for Roslyn; her hometown, friends, family, and local Church. As she wished, her funeral Mass was held at Immaculate Conception Church on October 29th, and she was subsequently buried in Roslyn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Remembrances may be made to: Immaculate Conception Church, 211 N B St, Roslyn, WA 98941. (Mailing address is P.O. Box 630, Cle Elum, WA 98922)