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Saturday, February 22, 2025
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Born in Akron, Ohio on June 16, 1933, Molly died in her home of 59 years, in Stuart, Florida on January 17, 2025, at the age of 91. She was attended by her niece, Jennifer Dachtler, who provided seven years of loving care at home, as well as supported by her four children, Kathryn, Michael, Kerry and Kevin Kirkhart and their spouses Stephanie, Deb, Carol, and Cindy.
Growing up with her parents, Lula P. Hornback and Clarence H. Kirby, she was the youngest of their four children, Agnes (Bootsie), Clarence (Red), and Llewellen (Louie). Molly lost her father in a tragic accident at the age of 3 years. Grandmother, “Granny” Hornback moved in with the family as they relocated to a mid-nineteenth century farmhouse in Northfield, Ohio. Molly described that growing up in the “country” afforded her a free-wheeling, happy life of family and dear friends, especially Millie and cousin Janet, although she missed attending those movie matinees every Saturday, a part of her “city” life in Akron. Life expanded soon after when stepfather, Earl D. Homan and nieces Dora and Jennifer joined their family. Molly graduated from Northfield-Macedonia High School where she was active as a cheerleader and in the chorus, also working as a part-time soda jerk at a nearby drug store and soda fountain. Molly’s ambition was to become a Kindergarten teacher. She attended Ohio University in Athens for one year, majoring in education --and minoring (?) in a very busy social life including joining the Independents organization and attending operatic, theatrical and musical events, and many dances and balls.
On a fateful double date Molly fell in love with the man who had accompanied friend. Nineteen-year-old Molly left college dreams behind to marry William Kirkhart, eloping before he shipped out to Europe to serve in the army during the Korean war. Molly worked office jobs as a “gal Friday” until Bill returned to start their family in Stow, Ohio. Molly and Bill adored each other throughout all 43 years of marriage. Molly worked hard as a homemaker with four children born within five years (she joked that she’d created her Kindergarten job at home). In Ohio Molly and Bill grew large annual vegetable gardens and butchered meats from local farmers, providing the family canned and frozen foods throughout those years.
In the early ‘60’s the family moved to Stuart, Florida to found EWK Paving and Contracting, Inc. with Bill’s brothers, Edward and Karl. Molly became the bookkeeper for the growing business. Molly’s life with Bill focused on work and family. They enjoyed boating (in the Molly B), fishing and entertaining at home. They built their dream home in Stuart’s North River Shores and later, a house on Big Pine Key for recreation. A few decades after that, they established a small farm in Goshen, Alabama where they enjoyed local family and friends, as well as invested in growing trees. Molly and Bill were proud to earn the designation of having created an Alabama Treasured Forest. With children grown, Molly and Bill travelled regularly to visit family living elsewhere in the U.S., as well as to explore the Canadian Rockies, and to experience Austria and Greece. At the age of 62, Molly lost the love of her life suddenly and tragically when Bill’s heart stopped beating.
Over the following years Molly slowly re-created a life as a widow which sustained her next three decades of life. She joined the Jensen Beach Community Church, loved being part of the choir, and volunteered at their community thrift store. Molly thrived in her home. She played the organ, listened to music daily, read romance novels, surrounded herself with her favorite color purple, and nurtured orchids. She regularly visited and helped her widowed mother who had previously relocated from Ohio and was living across town. Molly continued to invest love in family and a growing number of grandchildren (David, Chewy, Buddy, Nikki, Keegan, Hannah, Lauryn, Sarina, Colleen, and Amanda), their spouses (Sarah, Jeanne, Joe, Stanley, Chris, Nathan, and Emily), great-grandchildren (Seth and spouse Adrian), Lexi, Ronan, Tristan, Bradley, Josie, Josiah, Malachi, Cooper, Julian, and Eleanor Kathryn), and great-great grandson Kellen. Ever social, Molly looked forward to seeing dear friends as often as possible, including at the gym and out for coffee after, in volunteer work at the Martin County Fair, at church, and in the neighborhood when driving shifts on North River Shores volunteer security patrol or walking her beloved rescue golden retrievers. Molly continued travelling throughout the U.S. to visit with family, to enjoy sojourns in Alabama, as well as long trips with family or tour groups, favorites included Ireland (her country of the heart), England, Austria, France, Canada, Niagara Falls, and to see autumn leaves turn red and gold in the Northeastern US.
Molly taught us all how to be happy; in the big events but also the smaller day- to-day things, like a drop-in visitor and a cup of coffee, revisiting a videotaped musical or classic movie, or watching a televised college football game. Molly continuously demonstrated a flair for making strangers and loved ones comfortable in her presence. It was Molly’s sunny and warm-hearted outlook, joy in life, incredible smile accompanied by sparkly brown eyes, and kindnesses which will be most remembered by those who love and miss her.
All are invited to join family and friends in a Celebration of Molly’s Life at 10 to noon on February 22, hosted by Grace Place Church, 1550 SE Salerno Road, Stuart, FL, managed Martin Funeral Home and Crematorium. In lieu of flowers, Molly requested any tributes in her memory be in the form of donation to your favorite charity supporting children/young people or dogs. The family also supports donations to the Alzheimer’s Association and local chapters.
Online condolences and expressions of sympathy can be made by visiting www.Martin-Funeral.com.
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