Marie Frances Molander

Marie Frances Molander passed away on Friday, February 14^th, 2020 at Alexian Village on Signal Mountain. She was born in Prince George, Virginia, September 21, 1925.

Marie’s first job after school was with Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company in Petersburg, where she was assigned to work at Camp Lee during World War II. While there, Marie met Lt. Douglas D. Molander, who had just returned from a tour overseas. In 1948, Doug and Marie were married. After living in Chattanooga for several years, they moved to Cleveland, Tennessee in 1952 and opened a business, Cleveland Roofing and Air Conditioning, which they owned for over 40 years.

Marie lived in Cleveland for 55 years, where she was one of the founding members of St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church and served as a Eucharistic minister for 27 years. Marie always wanted everyone to feel welcome, so for many years she visited the newcomers and the sick on behalf of the church. She was a member of the Cleveland Jaycettes, the PTA, and the Cleveland Athens Cotillion. Marie also loved flowers and had a talent for arranging them. She was a founding member of the Ocoee Garden Club and served for many years as a flower show judge.

Marie was always active, energetic, and friendly, having an infectious smile and a cheerful word to say to everyone. She was an avid golfer and active member of the Cleveland Country Club. She enjoyed playing bridge and loved to go shopping!

Marie always loved her church and would attend daily Mass often; she was very proud of being a wife to Doug and mother to her two daughters; and she had a heart of gold – which is the way she will always be remembered.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Doug Molander.

She is survived by her daughters, Janet Wright (Greg) of Signal Mountain and Joy Stephenson of Tallahassee, Florida; her grandchildren, Christopher Wright (Acacia) and Wells Wright (Alex) of Chattanooga, and Theresa Stephenson and Will Stephenson of Tallahassee; and her great-grandchildren, August Wright and Declan Wright.

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February 22^nd at 2:00pm at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Cleveland, with the family receiving friends an hour before the service. The burial will immediately follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Special thanks to the staff at Alexian Village, who gave her so much love in her final years.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Molander family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.