Molly passed away in the early hours of March 10, 2019 at the age of 67. Born June 19, 1951 in Pasadena, CA to James Leland and Ruth Edgar Malone, Molly was the oldest of three children, a trailblazer and fearless advocate for justice.
After spending her early years in Swarthmore and Philadelphia, PA, Molly earned her BA from the University of Pennsylvania in 1973 and moved to Austin, TX in 1976. She earned her MA in Art History in 1980 from the University of Texas at Austin. While at UT she met her husband, Lee Chesney, a professor of Studio Art, and they married in 1981.
Molly wore many hats in her life; like her mother, Ruth, she loved to write and to aid others in their writing and research, which she did throughout her time at the University of Texas Architecture Library, the LBJ Library, the Hogg Foundation, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Northfield Design Associates, and KOOP Radio Austin.
In addition to the written word, Molly loved music of all kinds. From her Monday morning radio show, Dear Lady Twist on KOOP, to her love of street marching bands she could be found dancing and singing along just about anywhere.
She was a tireless advocate for justice as fairness, volunteering for Planned Parenthood, at local elementary schools, and through St. James Episcopal Church and the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Texas.
Molly is survived by her sister Kathryn Ruth, and her brother James Leland Malone; by her husband Lee, daughter Sarah Jane, son Samuel L., her daughter-in-law Angelica, and grandson Noah Lee Santiago Chesney.
A memorial in Molly’s honor will be held for friends and relatives at 2pm on Sunday, March 24, 2019 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752.
Molly loved nature, and asks that in lieu of flowers to her family that you share this love by sending flowers to your own loved ones, planting a tree, or simply hugging a tree. For those who wish to donate in Molly’s honor, the family asks that you consider donations to the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Texas which was such an important source of comfort to her.
As Molly would say, she is off on her next adventure.
