Mary Flores Molina's Obituary
Mary Ellen Molina (October 8, 1938–November 17, 2022)
Mary E. Molina was a strong-willed woman with many roles including wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. Peacefully, she left those she loved on November 17, 2022, at the age of 84.
Mary was born to Vincent Flores and Isabel Flores on October 8, 1938. After graduating from high school, Mary started a long career working in numerous banks in the Dallas area and marrying Jose Antonio “Tony” Molina, who would be her life-long love of 64 years. Together, they had three daughters, Yolanda (Patrick Kennedy), Elizabeth (Michael McAfee), and Felicia (Jeffery Smith).
Beyond raising her three daughters, Mary held the special roles of grandma and great grandma where she loved and built individual relationships with her nine grandchildren (Daniel, Sarrah, Jarrad, Jaclyn, Garrett, Mary Kate, Alannah, Anne, and Patrick) and four great-grandchildren (Levon, Audrey, Rory, and Harrison). The amount of pride and joy Mary had for her daughters and grandchildren was unmatched, as she would be excited to learn of their accomplishments and cheer them on both near and far.
Mary was loved so greatly in return and while the last few years of her life were spent away from her home, she made a new life in the daily visits and phone calls from those dear to her. Whether it was through hours of talking about someone’s day, recapping the daily talk show guests, or getting into playful arguments to pass the time, Mary kept herself sharp and in the know of the happenings around her.
Mary had so many qualities that many folks wish they could perfect in a lifetime. She was a great listener, sometimes staying on the phone for hours at a time and offered the best advice and encouragement in her responses. She was strong and resilient in how she tackled long-term health challenges, a true fighter at heart. She was opinionated and unafraid to voice her feelings on matters ranging from social issues to the tackiness of one’s outfit choices. Mary also had the joy of spoiling her favorite furry companion or in her words “my girl,” a chihuahua mix dog named Misty.
While Mary would not necessarily call herself a storyteller, those around her would say she was. Many memories with Mary involve sitting around and rehashing old memories and stories, sometimes for the first time and sometimes for the tenth time. Mary also had the best “selective” memory of anyone, where off the top of her head she could tell you all her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s birthdays instantly, but not remember if she had already had one or two pieces of candy with the hope of getting more.
Mary leaves behind a legacy of lessons, memories, and love for her family and dear friends. In honoring those memories, several of them are acknowledged here.
Memorable Moments of Mary Molina:
• Not all news is bad news. While Mary may not have gotten outside of her four walls often in the last few years, she was regularly up to date on the happenings locally and nationally. Mary often started many a conversation with some of the most outlandish news stories from the day, but she was also excited to share the happenings of movie stars, talk show hosts, and updates from the most recent episode of Days of Our Lives. Mary was a good reminder that there is value in balance. As you take the bad news in, know that good news is just as prevalent if you look for it.
• There’s always time for a strawberry milkshake and Taco Bell. Sometimes you need to take a break and give yourself a little treat, and Mary would be in full agreement with that. Friday afternoon lunches, often including a Taco Bell hard shell taco or a small Hat Creek strawberry milkshake, were highlights to Mary’s week – not only because of the treats, but because of the great company and conversation to accompany the food. Mary would likely encourage all of us to grab a milkshake and a taco and gather around to create new memories with one another.
• “You have two jobs, getting mad or getting over it.” Mary shared that while she was growing up, her mother would give her this advice when things didn’t go the way she wanted. Mary passed this advice along and would challenge the person to find the next best solution to a situation to keep things moving in a positive direction. While Mary won’t be around to share this phrase verbally anymore, keeping this phrase in one’s heart will be a constant honor to Mary’s support and encouragement.
• “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Mary lived vicariously through the lives and adventures had by the ones she loved. The irony of this statement was that it was almost like a challenge posed by Mary to be safe in whatever the person was doing, yet also had the underlying message to go out and experience something that Mary would not have done herself. Some of those adventures, like a hunting trip or tent camping in the woods, Mary would never have done herself; however, in many ways that was Mary’s challenge being fulfilled. Plus, Mary was always interested in a good story. Often the activities that Mary would not have tried herself were often the activities that provided her the most entertaining stories to listen to.
• A phone call will be worth a million memories in the end. Even though Mary would say she liked being alone, left to her introverted tendencies like talk shows, Hallmark movies, and reading the newspaper; Mary was a connector at heart. She was someone that would stay on the phone with someone whether it was a five minute or a two-hour drive just to make sure they were to their destination safely. Those phone calls or moments of connection were Mary’s link to not only the outside world, but to the lives of the people she loved so deeply. The phone calls kept Mary engaged, sharp, and reminded of her value and importance. The memory of a phone call and/or a voicemail will live long beyond the moments of uncertainty and discomfort in wondering whether to make the call. Mary would probably agree, go ahead and make the phone call – it will be worth it.
Mary Molina will be so incredibly missed by so many people who she loved and who loved her fiercely. Because of Mary, so many people were impacted in positive ways and were made better because of their relationship with her. To live a life to the fullest with positive regard for others, honesty, and a few strawberry milkshakes would be the greatest honor to the legacy Mary leaves behind.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?