Jessica Madeline Molloy

Jessica Madeline Molloy, educator, adventurer, and kindred spirit, died on Friday, October 25, 2024. We were the lucky ones to have had 43 years of loving and being loved by her. Jessica was born on June 24, 1981 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was a graduate of West Catholic High School (Class of 1999), Aquinas College (BA in Secondary Education, 2004), and Grand Valley State University (M.Ed. in Literacy Studies, 2017). She was a Ph.D. Candidate in English Education at Western Michigan University, preparing to unleash her literary genius on the world, at the time of her death. Jessica was a lover; she loved fiercely and with her whole self. Her husband, Dan, whom she married in 2005, was at the center of that love. Through words and actions, she made sure to let her friends and family know how much she loved them, well and often. Everywhere she traveled, in every independent bookstore, coffee shop and brewery around the country, she made friends. Hers was a warmth that drew people in and made them feel seen and safe, whether she’d known them for a half hour or her entire life. Spanning a 20-year career as an educator at Godwin Heights High School, Grand Valley State University and Western Michigan University, Jessica nurtured the ability of her students to find their voice, claim their individuality and connect with the world around them through a love of reading and writing. She was regularly recognized in the wild by former students who would rush to her with a huge smile, a crushing hug and stories of her tremendous impact on their lives. Jessica was a unique and beloved fixture in the running community. She ran countless races, including 13 marathons in one year, and found the most joy at the back of the pack, running her own race and encouraging those around her. No PR was more important than enjoying the experience and pursuing a new challenge. In 2021, she realized a long-held ambition to finish dead f****ing last in a race. To absolutely no one’s surprise, she made friends with the course sweepers in the process. One of Jessica’s greatest passions was the power of words and stories, and while there are none adequate to describe the light and love she brought to the world, her spirit will be forever kept alive through the courage she gave us to share our own. Jessica was predeceased in death by her beloved beagle, Bailey. She is survived by her husband, Dan Molloy and their doggos Stuart and Buddy; her mother, Rita (Schmiedicke) Short; her father, John Short; her sister Kristen (Joe Holben) Short and nieces Cleo and Stella. Please join us in sharing memories, hugs and tears at visitation this Friday, November 1, 2024 at Arsulowicz Brothers East Chapel (937 Michigan Street NE, Grand Rapids) from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jessica’s honor to Allies for Greyhounds (https://alliesforgreyhounds.org/donate/) or AYA Youth Collective (https://www.ayayouth.org/donate/).

Tributes

Jessica Madeline Molloy

June 24, 1981 - October 25, 2024