Molly Mollahan Lyons

Molly Ann Mollahan was born on September 30th, 1930 in Wilkes Barre, PA. She was the only child of Leonard J. Mollahan and Marion B. (Marso) Mollahan. She graduated from St. Ann’s Academy (K12) in Wilkes Barre, College Misericordia in Dallas, PA (BA in English 1951) and Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. (M.S.L.S. 1953)

On February 6th, 1954 she married Mark F. Lyons at St. Nicholas Church in Wilkes Barre and moved to Schenectady, NY to begin married life. Her first child Mark Leonard (deceased) was born in May of 1955. During their Schenectady residency, she worked as children’s librarian at the Scotia, NY Public Library. In October, 1956 the family relocated to San Jose, CA where three more children were born: James Michael, Mary Ann and Margaret Mary (Meg).

During these early years Molly was deeply involved in raising her children but still found time to be active in AAUW, Kappa Gamma Pi, St. Christopher’s Ladies Guild and the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW). Molly was a Board Member of ACCW and was elected President of the Santa Clara County Deanery for 1970. Shortly thereafter, she secured a position as Assistant Librarian at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Los Altos. During this period, she was active in the Cursillo Movement and a charter member of the folk singing group Mass Confusion playing the guitar. By 1989, Molly was Director of the Library, when the Loma Prieta earthquake destroyed the seminary. Luckily she was unhurt, but the library was relocated to St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, where Molly continued working as a cataloguer. During this period she was a Board Member in the Catholic Library Association, specializing in children’s literature. In an emergency, she volunteered to take over administration of The Catholic Periodical Index; a commitment that lasted more than four years. She prepared the budget, solicited subscriptions and handled payroll, expenses and rent for the Editor and Staff.

Molly was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, community volunteer and friend. She is preceded by her oldest son, Mark Leonard Lyons and survived by her husband, Mark, and her other three children, James Lyons, Mary Ann Lyons-Lotorto and Meg Burns. She is also survived by her daughters-in-law, Melanie Nielsen Lyons and Kimmie Lyons, her two son-in-laws, Vic Lotorto and Leon Burns, grandchildren; Kevin (Ruth), Steven (Kathleen), Stephanie, Josef (Johanna), Erin, Drew, Emma, Inge, Marc, Kyle, L.J., Jeremy and many great grandchildren.

In addition to family, Molly enjoyed traveling and was able to explore Western Europe from Norway to Spain. In addition she visited East Germany, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. She also took pleasure in cruises from Alaska to the Mediterranean. Most of all, she loved Maui where she enjoyed annual trips with family and friends for twenty-seven years.

In 2007 Molly began to experience memory problems and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2008. Since then she endured the steady cognitive and physical decline typical of Alzheimer’s. For the last two years, she has resided in the Memory Care Unit of the Regency Evergreen Facility in San Jose. She passed away peacefully on January 29, 2018, surrounded by loved ones.

The Family is grateful for the kindness and care provided by the staff at Regency Evergreen.

There will be a viewing and rosary at Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel, 710 Willow St., San Jose, on Monday evening, Feb. 5th, at 6:00 pm. Funeral Services and reception will be held 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at Holy Family Church, 4848 Pearl Ave., San Jose, Ca. Burial will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos with the immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Molly’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, CA.