Molly Jo McGuire

Molly Jo will forever stand out as one of the most witty, kind, and welcoming people I've known. She touched so many lives, so positively, in big and small ways. I know her loss is felt so deeply by everyone who knew her and most especially by her family. But today I'm am just so grateful that we all had the chance to know her and be inspired by her example of how to love. That's an amazing thing to leave us with. Thank you, MJ.

I already wrote on here but after attending my aunt mollys funeral tonight I knew I had to write this. Words can’t even describe the feeling knowing she is actually gone. It hurts so deep inside knowing I’m not going to see her bright soul at a family gathering as she would say “hi Isabel how are you sweetie” and give me a big hug. Every time the sun comes out now I know it’s her she is totally bringing the sun out. When I was a little girl she always made me food and was just one of the truest and kindest people you could ever meet. She was the best mother to my cousins and aunt to me. Every time we spoke I couldn’t ever get over how much of an amazing person she was. The last time we saw each other she gave me a big hug and kiss goodbye and said “bye sweetie I love you I’ll see you soon” but little did she know! And to my uncle Gary and ivy and Alice and Elliot once again I’m here for you guys if you ever need anything you know where I am! 🫶 we are all so lucky to have known my aunt Molly!

Our orbits intersected but rarely these past years, but it was always a joy to see Molly Jo and to spend a few minutes catching up. It seems impossible that I won’t run into her in the neighborhood. I treasure the time we did spend together, including a slightly odd interview where we sat on the floor of an empty office, with my infant son also in attendance. Molly Jo was as graceful as ever.

My heart goes out to all who will miss Molly Jo, especially her family.

Our Beautiful Molly
It has taken so long to write something about you because there are so many things and so many memories over the past 32 years. You have been like a daughter to me. I have loved our time together and all the wonderful excursions we’ve been on over the years. Sometimes you have been a friend I could call for advice and sometimes we could share a look or a laugh that your Dad didn’t know why we were laughing.

There are so many magical things about you, and we all shared in the love we felt for you. You have made me laugh hysterically and taught me more about composting than I ever thought I could learn. You showed me I could drink wine by the box and then make sure I got the last drop out of the bag inside the box, so none was wasted. I learned all the ins and outs about tea from you and what was good and not so good. My gosh, there are so many varieties and you had most of them.

Our camping trips were amazing. Just to spend uninterrupted time with you and the family was so precious to us. But then there was that one time that you almost ran me off the road! We were in go carts in Missoula, Montana. We were all just putting along and then here comes this person, helmet covering the face, screaming by like Mario Andretti, and beat all of us to the finish line. We didn’t know it was you until you pulled off your helmet. That was a side of you we never saw before, and we laughed about it for years.

And one more thing Mol. We have to talk about your skin. It’s like satin, so totally peaches and cream. It’s just another beautiful part of you. I’ve never seen such beautiful skin on a person, and you showed me how to take care of my own skin as not to age quickly. You were always so quick to pass on tricks and tips about taking care of yourself to those of us who needed help.

You’ve had burdens in your life, and you take them on like a warrior. There is a fierceness in you that could whip the world if you wanted to yet a kindness, warmth and love that overcomes everything in your path. You were so quick to laugh and everyone in the room felt your love and wanted to laugh with you. I hope your spirit stays with all of us because you make us want to feel more and love more.

I love you Mol. You will always be in our hearts.

We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Molly Jo. We had only known Molly Jo for a short time, through the friendship of our daughters. She always welcomed our daughter with open arms into her family, with great love, attention, and compassion. If only life had given us more time, we would have loved to share moments of friendship and get to know each other. Our deepest feelings are with the whole family, with Gary and his three beautiful children whom we cherish.

Molly was a good friend and fellow voice major at NMSU in the early 90s. She was always a light and so fun, and such an encourager. She was in our wedding 6 years later (look at that smile!) - what fun we had! Eric even knew her when she was a kid in Farmington before moving to Los Lunas, NM, when she used to run around youth group at church with a friend. What a coincidence when they were reunited in choir in Las Cruces years later! While we regret that we lost touch in recent years due to geography and life, we have such fond memories of those special college years. Operas, choir concerts, European trips, parties…we lived some real and fun life together for a time. Gary and girls, our hearts are with you all as you walk through this unimaginable grief. May hearing what joy and light she brought to so many throughout her whole life bring you a bit of comfort.

I met Molly Jo when we were both students at New Mexico State. We sang in the choir together, went on hikes, had lunches, and got to know each other pretty darn well.
After graduation I ended up working in Southern Africa in a country just recovering from civil war. I would write Molly Jo long letters talking about the craziness and she would always answer back with equally long letters trying to make me feel OK. In one of those letters I jokingly said that she should come over to Africa for a visit. Little did I know…
About a month after that letter, I get a radio call from the nearby landing strip saying that the month’s payroll had arrived on schedule and that I should head over and pick it up. In a bizarre linguistic coincidence, the word for money in the local African language is Mohley. So, I was supposed to go and pick up the Mohley. You guessed it, Molly Jo had figured out how to get to my hidden corner of the world (still not sure how she figured that out) and had somehow communicated with the soldier at the landing strip in a mixture of English, Portuguese and Xitswa, to play a joke on me. So I go the landing strip, accompanied by toughest dude in camp, to transport the payroll, the Mohley, to the camp workers.
I can never fully describe what went through my head, when instead of the payroll, Molly Jo was there, with her famous grin, waving at me from a dusty landing strip, in the middle of Africa. I still get choked up when I think about it.
She stayed for a month. She lived some of the most bizarre experiences you can imagine. She ate un-godly things, she had to navigate through minefields to take a piss, she got interrogated by soldiers at roadblocks, she sang “Message in a Bottle” to refugees. I still get letters from friends in Africa asking about Molly Jo, the first white women they had ever met.
But through it all she was always kind, funny, patient, willing to endure the next insane thing.
Her visit saved me. Because she came, I was able to last another couple of years and finish the project.
Jesus said that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a friend. In this case, laying down one’s life meant putting your world on hold, flying half-way around the world, to play a loving joke on a friend in crisis.
Elliot, Ivy Jane, Alice – your mom was one of a kind. Save the testimonials from all of her friends and family. It doesn’t make any sense now, but will give you wonderful things to hold on to in the future.
Gary – I can’t imagine what you are going through. Last time I saw you, you rescued me and my bicycle buddy from that sleezy hotel in Seattle. Let people help you through this. Love you man.

Gary, we are so sorry for your loss. Molly was and will always be a ray of sunshine. Sending love to you and your beautiful family 🩷

Despite great distance and a raft of years since I last saw Molly Jo, her radiance seemed a constant light across time and miles. It’s hard to fathom a world without her bright and shining smile. My heart goes out to all of you, Gary, your family, and the wider web of people who are reeling from losing her. Sending love and light to all.

I didn’t grow up knowing Molly Jo. In fact, my first memory of her was meeting her at our Grandma Donna’s funeral. She was an actress living in New York City with glorious black hair and the voice of an angel. When I heard her sing “Ave Maria” I knew that I wanted to be her when I grew up. We didn't meet again until about a decade later when I moved to Seattle. Her and Gary befriended me, fed me, let be a part of their family of two. She was my introduction to expensive cookware, pumpkin growing contests, mole at Thanksgiving, and sausage fests with custom t shirts. She was so riotously funny- I still use some of her material to this day. When it’s boiling hot outside I like to exclaim, “I feel like I’m living in the devil’s anus!”
She also taught me so many life lessons - not the least of which included that one could be friends with their spouse- imagine! She met Eric long before my parents did, and I was very happy that she gave her stamp of approval.
I’m just a cousin… we floated in and out of each other’s orbits over time. I’m devastated, so I can’t imagine the pain experienced by those of you for whom she was the center of your universe. I’ll love her and be grateful for the time I had with her always.

Dear Gary: There are no words to express the sadness you must be feeling, but knowing you all your life there is no doubt you will be strong and certainly a strong father to your children.
I will always remember your wedding day. Your Uncle Bill and I had such a good time. Everyone did.....Keep those memories alive!
With much love
Aunt Carole

We loss this marvelous mother of our grandchildren, wife of our son and just one terrific human being.

We are so glad we had the opportunity to enjoy Molly on our family vacation in Mexico.

“Hey, Friend!”
Molly greeted me this way each time we saw each other, along with a big hug. She was the warmest, loveliest person of many talents — Singer, chef, gardener — the list goes on. She was a wonderful friend to have in my life, and I miss her. She had a delightful smile and a joyful laugh. She loved to talk about her kids and the adventures of her family.

She welcomed Michelle and me from when she first met us years ago. Molly Jo and Gary and their entire family embraced our family as part of their community. I am so grateful for that. I met so many people at their home and she helped connect us all.

Whenever I talked to Molly I felt like she would pause and make time, listen to my story or whatever I was sharing and be there for that moment. That was a special thing about Molly. She made time for people. Molly Jo loved music and I remember so many moments talking about music and seeing the way she would light up in that conversation.

While Molly Jo was taken from us all far too soon, she enriched the lives of all who knew her. She was a light in the world.

I was 10 years old the day Molly was born. I was so excited I went out to the front yard screaming “ it’s a girl it’s a girl it’s a girl!!! “
I did cartwheel after cartwheel. This was my way of welcoming Molly Jo. I named my daughter, Lindsey Jo, who then named her daughter Eden Jo🥰 Molly will live on in all of us who loved her dearly.
Gary, you and your children are in my prayers daily.

I worked with Gary for several years, enough to know that the Wichanski’s are a beautiful family. I am so sorry for this tragic loss! My heart goes out to Gary, Ivy, Elliott, Alice, and everyone else affected. Sending all my love!

Molly McGoo was a unicorn of friends, that rare human that you find that's your person - THE person since almost age 14. I considered her my family, her family became mine, and my person that I thought would be by my side for a lifetime. McGoo was my partner in high school shenanigans, teens cruising Sonic or the ditch banks of Los Lunas, my college roommate as we learned how to become adults, my travel companion when life told us we needed a break, my confidant for all life matters, a fellow mom who understood, and a person that could make me laugh with even a glance of the eye. She was quirky, had a sly sense of humor and a bold presence in any situation. She was someone that has shaped me from teens through mid-life, my best friend and someone I considered my other soulmate.

I have a bucket half-full: 38 years of laughter, tears, inside jokes, adventures and shared experiences together or with Gary and Brian (and sometimes Doodles). I always imagined another 38 years left to fill up the other half with so many more friend rendezvous, ridiculous larks and escapades together on the planet. I will always keep Gary, Ivy, Alice and Elliot in my life and will continue to hold them close - they are my people too. Losing McGoo in my life, but especially for her in their lives, makes my heart heavy. A great friend, a great mom and a great life partner. I’ll see you again some day, McGoo. For now, you stay in my heart every day.

Gary, Ivy, Alice and Elliot - I'm so sorry to hear this sad news. All my best to each of you.. Jim (Wendy's father)

It's been a week since this news came out of the clear blue, and it's still extremely hard to process. It's been on my mind every day since.
Molly Jo was an absolute shining light of kindness, grace, humor.
I am heartbroken for Gary, Ivy, Alice, Elliot, and all of Molly's family and friends, but I'm also so grateful for the impact she had on so many lives.
There is nothing quite like this type of shock to remind us that life is short, and no one is guaranteed a "later." So go hug your people and grab life by the horns. I'm pretty sure that's what Molly would us all to do.

Gary, we can't begin to express how sorry we were to hear about Molly Jo. I'll always remember her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes. She baked the largest snickerdoodle cookies I've ever seen, and introduced me to the wonders of cinnamon ice cream. Reading all of these comments, she spread love and light to so many. We feel so lucky to have known her.

Oh, Molly my dear friend. You are one of the best people ever to enter my life. I would have never made it through grad school without you and Rafi. I have so many fond memories of laughing, performing, and bitching with you during that difficult time. A great light has gone out and the world is a darker more colorless place. I will miss you and I won't forget.

Dear Gary and Family
I'm so sorry and sad to hear this tragic news today about Molly!
I still remembered my brief stay with your family in Seattle back many years ago. Your two older kids were still small and the youngest one was a baby. Despite of taking care of 3 little ones, Molly was so kind and loving to welcome me in. You guys made me feel home. She was such a beautiful and talented lady. Very open-minded, too and interested to know people from another culture, their life, their tradition and their food.
Let's know she's on a new journey. Life continues.

It was a true blessing for us to know Molly.

She had a way of making us always feel good when we were with her. Her positive and joyful vibe was contagious. To see Molly with Gary and her beautiful family was always a delight.

We send our love to Gary, Ivy Jane, Elliot and Alice.

Bill Hoffman & Andric Bowen

Dear Gary and Family,

There are no words to express the deep sorrow felt by the sudden loss of Molly Jo, a remarkable soul whose light shone brightly in the lives of all she touched. Molly was not just a presence in your lives; she was a celebration of love, kindness, and unwavering support. Her ability to embrace everyone’s uniqueness, to fill every room with warmth, and to live with such a generous heart was a rare gift to the world.

Molly’s legacy is vivid in the stories shared, the meals she lovingly prepared, and the laughter that filled your home. She was a beacon of joy, a champion for her family, and a friend to all, irrespective of the walk of life from which they came. The void left by her absence is immeasurable, and yet, in the midst of this profound loss, we find comfort in the memories she has given us—a treasure trove of moments filled with love, whimsy, and the simple joys of life.

As you navigate through this difficult time, please know that you are not alone. We are here for you, to support you, to remember Molly with you, and to honor her memory by embracing life with the same love and openness that she exemplified. Molly’s spirit, a beautiful tapestry of compassion, resilience, and unconditional love, will forever be etched in our hearts.

May you find solace in the love that surrounds you and strength in the community of friends and family who share your loss. Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences are with you and your children during this heartrending time.

With heartfelt sympathy,

Bryan, Kate, Ben, and Hawk

You don’t have to know someone long to realize that they are special. I realized this when I met Molly on an extended family trip to Mexico. Since then every time I’m in Seattle would try to see her and the family. What I keep thinking about is I really liked her and it’s unfair for her to be gone. I would love loved to spend more time with her and she really is a special woman gone too soon. I never got to hear her sing but I hope she’s singing wherever she is. May her memory be a blessing.

MJ,

I’ve been putting off writing this because then it would have to be true. And I’m not quite ready for that. And because words can’t really capture all the magic that you are. So, I’ll start with this…

I’m truly grateful.

More than 15 years ago, you and Wendy popped by on your way to a friend’s wedding in the Bay Area. That chance encounter changed the trajectory of our lives forever. Because of that goofy, glorious day the four of us spent together, we decided we needed to be friends. And then Keen and I traveled to Seattle to join a “work fest” weekend to support you, GW, and Ivy to prepare for the twins. We were invited into the most magical community. It was the kind we’d been longing for and didn’t know we needed. One filled with the deepest of belly laughs and friendship and mutual support.
It was the reason we took the leap to move to Seattle, which brought our kiddo into our lives. And you and the Scoobs were there to support us and cheer us on through it all. Through the loss of my parents, the birth and adoption of our beautiful son, the ups and downs of parenting and caregiving and pure despair and rage at the unfolding world.

You’ve been my emergency call in the middle of the night, my Green Lake walking partner, my confidant, my cheerleader and challenger, my recipe tester, my driving companion to our Whidbey weekends that filled up my cup. You’ve fed and nourished us with countless home cooked meals, holiday gatherings, and your delightful stories and songs. You’ve sent texts of support and kindness and joyful absurdity. And over the past two years, you’ve been our delightful neighbor who would leave treats or COVID tests on our doorstep, wave to me from your home office window where you were watching the birds, come snuggle our kitties when we traveled, or walk over extra summer tomatoes from your garden.

To live next door to a best friend is something I wish for everyone. To live next door to you. Well, that is something quite special. I will be forever grateful to know you and get to spend so much time with you. And I am so grateful to Wendy for bringing you and your beautiful family into our lives. I have watched you pour your love into them and promise you we will continue to hold and support them as you have for us all these years. It won’t hold a candle, but gosh, we’ll do our best.

This was not supposed to be. As Ako said, we were supposed to grow old together. The unfairness of it all takes my breath away.

Rest up, my friend. I’ll see you on my walks and in the garden. The birds will be singing your song. mg

I worked with Molly Jo, and she always brightened my day. She was funny and kind, a person who brightened the room just by being there. I am very sorry to hear of her passing, and am sending love and light to all who knew her. May her memory be a blessing.

Love and hugs to your family. We are so sorry for your families loss. 💕

Molly Jo was such a wonderful force. I'm so sorry and saddened to hear she is no longer with us. My heart goes out to her sweet family.

Molly Jo was a role model of kindness, support, & positivity in our Bagley community. A mom like no other. My heart goes out to I, E, & A.

When I think of all the major events in my adult life, I see Molly with me. We have had so much fun together and I am forever grateful for her friendship. She was the best in every way. It is very hard to look ahead and realize that we won’t be sharing the last half of our lives together but she is in my heart. Thank you, Molly. Love you. Don’t worry too much about your kids. We will do our best to be there for them always.

Molly Jo, I can hear you say, “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, what have I done? I am so sorry, I am so sorry, but you have to keep going, keep going for me!” I cry a lot these days, MJ. You were the second mother, to Amaya, you had 4 kids a lot of the time; and you loved her fierce just like your love for your kids, Gary, family and friends. No one gave better hugs than you. The hole you left is wide and deep. However, the love your friends and family and extended community have for you, will lift your family and help them carry on. Love you so much, my friend.

One of the best mothers I have known. Such a kind person. ❤️ Hugs to Ivy Alice and Elliott

Molly Jo was loved by her children’s teachers at Daniel Bagley. She was an integral part of our community, always ready to give of herself in so many ways. We mourn her loss and the pain of her family, and are so much better for having known her.

I miss you, Magoo. This doesn't feel real. My mind is a swirl so I'll keep this short. (This is short for me. ;) You were/are a swell friend. The best, really. You saw and embraced me and enabled me to walk tall with the knowledge that I was loved something fierce. Almost 30 years of birthdays and babies and big moves and widow support and weddings and puzzles and watching the Smalls grow big and Technical Support Dispatching and Gal trips and holiday meals and Scooby'ing and flower arranging and cheering one another and Fourth-of-Julys and Halloweens and concerts and deep laughs and meaningful talks and gift giving and chuckling about the most random silly things. I cherish this time. I thought it would go on 'til we were old ladies rockin' on some porch. But alas, accidents happen and you are gone. But are you really? I feel you here. When I see cool birds. When I hear a Molly song. When I see anything kelly green. When I'm near your kiddos. You are with me always. But I still miss your beautiful face. All the love to the Wichansky Smalls and GDub - we've got you. And a heap of love to all the folks who are missing our Molly Jo. Raising a bourbon-filled santa mug to you, Magoo. You lived a very good life.

We were gutted to hear the news. Although we’d not seen Molly in ages, she was part of our extended family and we have loved hearing of the adventures of the Seattle McGuire-Wichanski clan. She will be sorely missed, even by those of us who only felt her light from the periphery. We send all our love to her inner circle. Best, Lisa Albright and Brian Penner

My heart, like everyone else's, is broken. I'm going to miss you all the time, Molly Jo. That is a fact. I went through years of text messages to find some photos (man, we are funny....or well, we think we are). The bitmoji though. Mom-comm was how this friendship survived. This sucks. I know you'd agree. Thank you for just being an amazing, bright light in this world and most of all, for being such a transparent and honest friend. Love to your whole family.

The loss of Molly Jo is so incredibly tragic and gut-wrenching and hard to comprehend. I mainly knew her from a distance through Wendy for most of the past 30ish years but every time I did spend time around her the glow and light and positive beautiful energy shone from her beautiful spirit. I am so sorry and wish all her family and close friends love.

I was so shocked and thought I was having a bad dream when my mom came into my room Saturday morning to tell me the horrible news. 🥺 everyone that knew my aunt Molly knows that she was such a light and lit up every room and was such a love. We seriously needed more people like her in our world. Every time I talked to her I could never get over how sweet and loving she was and I know that I was so lucky to have an aunt like her. We
are all in this together! 💕

I heard the unbelievable news from Carol this morning. Sending love to Gary, the kids and all those that loved Molly Jo. Though I hadn't seen her in a bit I cherish knowing her for the past 12 years. Ivy and Julia were in school together from preschool through middle school and I gained the most wonderful friend from the kids meeting. When I think of Molly Jo I think of her beautiful smile and joy. She was pure joy. My heart is broken and I miss you my friend.♥️

You will be my "Molly Bug" forever!!