Molly Jean O'Neill

On June 9, 2021, Doctor Molly Jean O’Neill (PhD) passed away at the age of 28. Born March 6, 1993 (Springfield, VA), Molly was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer in 2014 during her Junior year at Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX. Having survived her initial prognosis, Molly finished her degree in Psychology on time in 2015 and began her journey towards a Doctorate in Developmental Psychology at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN. During her tenure at Notre Dame, Molly dealt with several recurrences of her illness while completing her Master’s Degree and ultimately receiving her Ph.D. in March 2021.

Shortly after returning to the hospital on Christmas Day 2020, she learned her disease was no longer responding to treatment. Molly ultimately passed away at her parents’ home in Venice, FL, surrounded by her family and her faithful dog, Brynn. She is survived by her mother, Lisa (Wiley) O’Neill; father, Robert (Bob) O’Neill, Jr.; brother, Patrick O’Neill, his wife, Sarah Ricketts and son, Liam O’Neill; sister, Meghan (O’Neill) Lipscomb, and her husband, Matthew Lipscomb; her Grandfather, Bill Stowe; her Uncles William and Byron Stowe and their families, her Aunts Kerrie Croucher and Tracy Waldeck and their families, her Uncle John O’Neill, extended family and countless friends all over the US.

Molly is a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and friend who touched the lives of everyone she met. She reveled in being Auntie Molly to her nephew Liam, playing, reading, snuggling, and teaching him every moment of her time with him. She was so excited she would soon be Auntie to her sister Meghan’s baby and her brother Patrick’s second baby in a few months.

Molly has the purest heart and incredible love of life. With grace, unstoppable determination, strength, compassion, and zest for life, Molly fought until her last breath. During her short time on this earth, she saw beauty and purpose in all things. She loved to cook, have spirited conversations, mentor her colleagues and students, travel and experience new foods, and expand her knowledge further. From a very young age, Molly became an avid reader with enjoyment in a variety of genre. Molly’s other interests include dance and music. In fact, she completed the Dance Teacher Education Course and became a certified dance instructor through the Dance Teachers Club of Boston.

The consummate scholar, Molly presented her research at numerous conferences and created a developmental psychology research rating system now known as the O’Neill Affect Rating Scale (OARS). Additionally, she inspired a mentor scholarship program at the University of Notre Dame, the Molly O’Neill Mentorship Award.

Molly’s beautiful smile is contagious and she inspires those in her presence. Through her passion for excellence and learning she taught us all how to be strong and generous, as well as steadfast in our beliefs.

Our shining light, Molly is now our Angel in Heaven guiding our way until we are together again.

Rest in comfort now, Doctor Molly Jean O’Neill. WE LOVE YOU!.

"You are encouraged to share a story about Molly at the Celebration of Life. If you're unable to attend, please share one on this website." .

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to:

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, in Honor of Molly O'Neill (please include notification to [email protected])

https://give.ocrahope.org/give/186942/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=OCRAWeb&c_src2=WaystoGive

Molly O'Neill Mentorship Award

https://giveto.nd.edu/give?fund_id-1562

In the search box on the page, select

"The Molly O'Neill Award for Excellence in Mentorship"