Mary “Molly” Jean Lyon Protheroe was born February 3, 1938 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She passed away on November 20, 2023, from Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
Molly, 85, of Helena, Montana, via Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, New York City, Boulder and Longmont, Colorado, and California was the daughter of the late John Boyer and Mary Knisley (Jean) Lyon of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Molly was predeceased by her loving husband Al Protheroe, and sisters Frances Dick-Fannell and Dorothy (Dotty) Alice Lyon Berrier. She was the caring Aunt of her nieces and nephew: Dorothy (Dottie) Helena Berrier Masiello, Jamie Berrier Steck, Penny A. Berrier, Allison Lyon Berrier, Janet Lyon-Huffman, and John R Dick Jr, and their children. She was the beloved sister-in-law of James D. Berrier, Lady Lake (the Villages), Florida.
Molly was a 1956 graduate of William Penn High School, Harrisburg, PA, where she was a leader and active in the Interfraternity and Sorority Council, Delta Sigma, Junior Red Cross, Founders, School Year Book (Sylvania), Sports, Choir, Prom Committees, and Banquet Committee. She cheered on others as the Tiger mascot her junior and senior years. Apropos, her school yearbook noted if you see a tall good looking red head running through William Penn’s halls, you can bet it is Molly carrying out one of her activities. Molly was known to all for her kind, warm smile.
Molly continued her education at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, before earning her Nursing Degree from Columbia University School of Nursing. Molly graduated from Columbia University in 1962 and started her nursing career as the Director of the Columbia University Eye/Ophthalmology Institute, New York City.
Molly moved to Longmont, Colorado as the Director of Nursing for the local hospital. After marrying, Molly moved to California. Ultimately, she settled in Helena, MT. Molly retired from nursing at Fort Harrison VA Medical Center. Molly remained an advocate of mental health education and the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). She valued her Helena, MT knitting and sewing friendships and the good works they did. Molly made innumerable hats, scarves, gloves, and baby blankets to donate to individuals in need domestically and internationally. Molly’s life was epitomized by caring for others.
Molly’s love of the Jersey shore was a joy she cherished with family. There are also many family memories of holiday magic she created and stories of her travels. Molly continually shared the sparkle of life and her spirit of adventure. Molly’s positive attitude was personified by the spirit of a frog. Why a frog, well Molly would giddily share that a frog can only move forward, not backwards or sideways. Molly wanted everyone to use the frog as a reminder to move forward because the best is yet to come!
We invite you to join a celebration of Molly’s life in the spring or summer at Spring Meadow Lake State Park, Helena, MT. Molly can be celebrated with donations in her memory of one’s choice including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 28 West 44th Street, Suite 609, New York, NY 10036, Nurses House, Inc Veronica M. Driscoll Center for Nursing 2113 Western Avenue, Suite 2, Guilderland, NY 12084-9559, Instar Community Services, 1112 Leslie Avenue, Helena, MT 59601, and VA Drug Rehab in Helena, MT.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Brian Garrity says
Dear Family & Friends of Molly,
I just heard (Tuesday, 12/5/23) about Molly’s passing. Molly was a wonderful person. She cared deeply about people and how they might be helped as necessary.
I met Molly during the early days of planning and developing Our Place Drop-In Center for people with serious mental illness. She put all of herself into it. She was caring, enjoyable, and fun to be around. I hadn’t seen her in quite a while, but I will still miss her and think of her.
Love to you, Molly.
Brian
Martha Vogt says
Molly was one of the original founders of the Knitters For Peace group 20+ years ago, which is still going strong. I met her there at the coffee shop where she would welcome anyone into the group. She shared her remarkable skills as well as her huge heart. I am fortunate to own one of her frogs, to remind me of forward movement. She is loved and missed.
Jennifer Fauque says
I remember working with Molly at the Our Place Drop-in center, the Local Advisory Council of Mental Health, the Central Service Area Authority, and as her wellness and recovery action planning (WRAP) workshop assistant.
Molly was a very giving individual. She was always helping people. I will never forget when WRAP participants completed the workshop Molly would give each of them a frog.
Joan Meyer says
Bandjmeyer@msn.com
Molly was always so welcoming of my mother, Ann, when she joined the knitter. Molly was a caring and outgoing person – a delight to know.