Molly North

1945 - 2025

Molly Margaret North's courageous 13-year battle with dementia ended peacefully in the early morning of September 13, 2025, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem, NC.

Molly was born on April 5, 1945, in Clearwater, FL, to Donald C. North Jr. and Elaine Pattee North. Molly was born while her father was serving in the US Navy in the South Pacific and her mother was living with her father's mother. When World War II ended, Molly's father took a job with Pratt and Whitney in Hartford, CT, and the family moved to the small town of East Granby, CT.

Molly's younger brother, Donald C. North III, arrived in 1947 and her younger sister, Jane Pattee North in 1949. The family lived in East Granby until 1956, when her father accepted an offer from Babcock and Wilcox, and the family moved to Lynchburg, VA.

Molly graduated from E.C. Glass High School in 1963 and began her undergraduate studies at St. Andrew's College in Laurinburg, NC. After her sophomore year she transferred to Randolph Macon Women's College in Lynchburg, VA, where she earned her undergraduate degree in 1967.

Molly's passion for music, especially the piano and organ, led her to graduate school at Boston University, where she earned a Master's Degree in Sacred Music and Theology. In her early career she taught music in schools and served as organist for several churches. Eventually Molly returned to college and earned a second undergraduate degree, in accounting, from the University of North Texas. In 1993, she earned her accreditation as a Certified Public Accountant, after which she began a long career serving several different firms, specializing in property management. She concluded her career working for the General Services Administration of the United States Government in Washington, DC.

Molly retired from her career in accounting in 2011. To be closer to family, she moved to Winston-Salem, NC. Molly joined St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, where she soon began serving as organist. She was a gifted organist and pianist, who quickly earned the respect and the love of the congregation and staff of St. Anne's.

Molly was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her younger sister, Jane Pattee North and her husband, Tom Beason and her younger brother, Donald C. North III and his wife, Mary Murrill North; her nephew, Will North Shuford; her nieces, Megan North Shuford, Catherine North Hounfodji, Rebecca North, and Angela North Marshall; eight cousins; and six great nieces and nephews.

Molly was beloved by her extended family and by many others. Her skill in and love for music, her rich imagination, her joy, her appreciation for nature, and her love of laughter led to many wonderful memories at family gatherings, trips, celebrations, church gatherings, and musical events. As well, from an early age, Molly had a heart for service to others. Throughout her life, as a volunteer and as a friend, she dedicated herself to the care and well-being of others, thus leaving her indelible mark on the lives of many.

The family would like to express its thanks to Dr. Rebecca Omlor and the staff of Trellis Supportive Care and Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home; her faith community of St. Anne's Episcopal Church; and, most especially, her dear friend and Home Instead caregiver, Tania Villalba.

A service in celebration of Molly's life will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 1 p.m. at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, 2690 Fairlawn Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27106.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Molly's memory may be made to St. Anne's Episcopal Church.