Louise Gentles Molke

Louise Gentles Molke, age 99, passed away peacefully on 5/13/2025 in the presence of her children. While family was her love and primary focus, Louise had many interests which she pursued with energy, creativity, passion and fun. She was an inspiration to all throughout her well-lived life.

A caring and beloved grandmother, Louise was actively involved in the lives of her nine grandchildren. As an example, she attended grade school, high school and college graduations for all of them. Also, much to their delight, Louise sent cards on their respective birthdays and for Valentines Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Fourth of July, Halloween and Thanksgiving. An accomplished artist, Louise would also paint a holiday scene each year and use it for her annual Christmas card.

Louise G. Molke was born on March 3, 1926, in Brooklyn, NY, to parents, Wallace and Haydee Gentles who later moved to Westfield, NJ where they raised Louise, her older brother James Wallace Gentles (now deceased) and her younger sister, Margaret, currently residing in Morristown, NJ.

Louise was married to her husband, Richard H. “Dick” Molke, for over 70 years having met on the campus of Russell Sage College on Victory in Europe Day, May 8, 1945. Dick was enrolled at neighboring Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Troy, NY, where he was an officer in the United States Navy. Dick passed away in 2019.

Louise is survived by the couple’s three children Richard H. Molke Jr. of Red Bank, NJ (married to Mary Pat Lee Molke), Robert W. Molke of San Francisco, CA (married to Anne E. Magennis) and Lisa Molke Lenker of Malvern, PA (married to Dr. Robert B. Lenker) and their nine grand-children: Krista, Richard, Joanna, Zoe, Heather, Samuel, Graham, Conor and Kathryn. Louise also had six great grandchildren at the time of her passing.

Louise graduated from Westfield High School in 1944 and continued her education at Russell Sage College, Troy, NY, graduating in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. Louise and Dick lived in New York City and various towns in New Jersey before settling in Rumson, NJ in 1964, where they lived continuously before moving to Shannondell at Valley Forge, Audubon, PA in 2015.

Louise was an active member of the Presbyterian Church. She was married at the Presbyterian Church in Westfield, NJ, was a member of Tower Hill First

Presbyterian Church in Red Bank, NJ since 1960 and joined the Lower Providence Presbyterian Church in Norristown, PA when she moved to Shannondell.

An avid golfer of over 50 years, Louise was a long-time member of Deal Country Club, Deal, NJ, where she played golf well into her 90’s. She was a formidable competitor who won several championships in her class at Deal. Louise and her family were also active members at Shrewsbury Sailing and Yacht Club where they made many lifelong friendships and where her three children learned how to sail.

In addition to golf and sailing, Louise was an accomplished and prolific artist whose paintings are cherished by family and friends. She was also an enthusiastic game player. Even in her nineties, Louise was able to learn how to play mahjong, becoming a member of Shannondell’s robust mahjong community.

Her devotion to family was evident when, just three days prior to her passing, Louise spoke with each of her grandchildren, giving them a personalized message about how they should love and value who they are and keep doing their best going forward. We were all lucky to have her in our lives.

There will be a private, family memorial service for Louise. Charitable contributions in Louise’s memory can be made to Family and Children’s Services in Monmouth County, fcsmonmouth.org, where Louise used to volunteer