Mary Lou Molli

MOLLI
MARY LOU MOLLI
December 30, 1947 – November 27, 2014

On what would have been her 75th Birthday we send our love to Mary Lou Molli, the big sister to Marilyn (Valdez), Mark, John, and Lisa (Tierney) and wife to Rick Albertson. We remember her strong character that was molded by her parents (Giovanna and Louis) who imparted the importance of treating all people with dignity, fairness and respect. Her character was also strengthened by the transient military life that moves families through multiple cities in foreign lands, hundreds of new acquaintances, and countless enduring experiences.
Mary Lou was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1947 and lived on U.S. Army military bases around the world, including France, Germany and Italy. Upon graduating from an American dependent high school in France in 1965, Mary Lou returned with her family for a second tour in Vicenza, Italy. She attended a U.S. junior college in Munich, Germany and later graduated from the University of Missouri.
That is quite a ride for someone in their formative years, and it all seemed to happen like the blink of an eye. But through all the disruptions, through all the tearful goodbyes to friends, through all the new adjustments, Mary Lou handled it without complaints and always with a cheerful and hopeful outlook.
She was a kind and gentle soul who made others around her feel at ease. She was a very fashionable dresser, but didn't put on airs. She loved life, she loved animals, especially her cats Kitt and Freckles, and as the oldest of the five children she was the kind of big sister that everyone would be proud to have. She didn't have children of her own, but she was a wonderful mother to Rick's two sons, Rick and Phil. Mary Lou loved her grandchildren, Jeremy, Devin, and Van, and they loved her. She was Aunt Mary Lou (Lou Lou) to all the Molli children touching them all with her generous and caring spirit. Her goodness and love knew no bounds.
And finally we pay tribute to Mary Lou's inner strength, which was an inspiration to us all. When she was in college she had a severe head injury and nearly lost her life, but she battled her way back to live a rich and full life. In her last few years she fought with all her strength against a deadly disease with courage and grit that was truly remarkable. She fought to the very end with her family holding her hands to her last and final breath.
Mary Lou had the indomitable spirit that Lord Alfred Tennyson captured so eloquently in his famous quotation:

"That which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate,
but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. "
Rest in peace, Mary Lou Molli. We will always love you.