Mary E. “Molly” LeFaive
Ocean Pines
Mary E. “Molly” LeFaive, age 82, of Ocean Pines, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Coastal Hospice at The Lake in Salisbury, Maryland.
She was born in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of the late Robert Harris and Mary (McElroy) Harris.
Molly had an extraordinary blend of kindness and curiosity that made everyone feel at home. Her core value of living by the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” was apparent in all of her relationships—whether you knew her for ten minutes or ten years. She always made time for family and friends, making you feel as though nothing in the world was more important than the conversation you were having with her. She remembered the details that mattered, followed up, and made sure you knew just how much she cared. Her absence is deeply felt by all who experienced her rare gift of loving unconditionally.
Molly’s life was dedicated to nurturing others, first as a friend, teacher, wife and mother, later as counselor and volunteer. She taught high school and middle school English and Speech for nearly thirty years, with students in Ohio, Michigan and Maryland. In the mid-nineties, she embarked on a second career, earning a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Tennessee, Memphis. She worked as a counselor for the Seaford School Department’s School-Based Health Center in Delaware until 2009. She loved counseling, and her natural inclination to hold safe, listening spaces for people lasted throughout her life.
An active congregant at the Community Church at Ocean Pines, Molly sang in the choir, played in the bell choir, participated in the Pastor’s Bible Study, and the intercessory prayer ministry. She was a member of the United Women in Faith, serving as vice president for a short time. She particularly enjoyed recording short devotions on the church’s social media network.
Molly stayed busy and found joy throughout her retirement: lunching with her dear friends in the Red Hat club, exercising at the local pool’s Creaky Joints classes, and engaging in various book clubs. She participated in the Democratic Women’s Club of Worcester County, and the Ocean City Lioness Club. As a volunteer with Coastal Hospice’s grief support team, she wrote notes to patients’ loved ones.
She is survived by her son, Kenneth R. LeFaive and his companion Charita Connolley of Bradenton, FL; her daughter, Ruth LeFaive and her husband Andy Wolfe of Los Angeles, CA; her sister-in-law Connie Harris; two grandchildren, Samantha Stern (husband, Samuel) and Robert K.W. LeFaive, and their mother, Laurie LeFaive; and her great-grandson, Nathan Stern.
In addition to her parents, Molly was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Richard A. LeFaive, and her brother, Mac Harris.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at the Community Church at Ocean Pines in Berlin where friends may call from 10:30-11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Molly’s memory to Community Church at Ocean Pines, 11227 Racetrack Road, Berlin, Md. 21811 and/or Coastal Hospice, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21802.
Condolences may be shared online at https://www.bishophastingsfh. com/.