Molly Kathleen Stevenson

Molly Kathleen Stevenson of Tampa, FL, passed away on Monday, October 25, 2021, after a brief illness. She was 44. She leaves behind her loving mother and sister, Brenda Stevenson and Caitlin Stevenson (Michael Holy), and her sweet boys, Wadley and Saul Stevenson. Molly also leaves behind many relatives and friends. She was particularly close to her aunt and uncle, Carol and Chris Fox, and considered Joanne Myers to be her soul sister.

Molly was born March 26, 1977, in Canandaigua, NY, and grew up in the Rochester, NY, area. In the fourth grade, she read a biography of Betsy Ross, which was the starting point of her abiding love of history. Luckily, she was within a short distance of such important historical sites as Susan B. Anthony’s home and Seneca Falls. Near her childhood home was a Quaker meeting house at which Frederick Douglass had spoken. The climate, on the other hand, gave her a lifetime dose of “lake-effect snow” and made her appreciate Tampa’s sunshine all the more. Growing up, Molly was a talented dancer and pursued that passion through college and beyond.

After graduating from Our Lady of Mercy High School in Rochester, she studied history at the Honors Tutorial College of Ohio University, from which she graduated Phi Beta Kappa, then remained at Ohio to earn a Master of Arts in History summa cum laude. After a few years of exploring different career paths, from ministry in the Episcopal Church to museum studies, Molly studied at the Upper Valley Teacher Institute in Lebanon, NH, and earned her certification in teaching Social Studies in the upper grades. She said that she had always found herself teaching children in some capacity and that it was what she was meant to do.

Molly was a passionate, creative, and immensely caring teacher. Her educational career spanned history and social studies departments from New Hampshire to Massachusetts to North Carolina and finally Florida, where she taught in the Upper School of Berkeley Preparatory School History and Religion Department.. Wherever she went, she collaborated with colleagues to craft rich and engaging curricula that would make history come alive for her students. Teaching precise and effective writing was a particular passion, and fundamentally she taught students how to learn, inculcating skills that would serve them for a lifetime. Molly tirelessly supported student activities beyond the classroom, notably Model UN and National History Day projects. Deeply curious herself, Molly regularly won scholarships for professional development summer seminars. In 2012, her excellence in teaching was recognized by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History when Molly was named Teacher of the Year for New Hampshire. Her ongoing project to visit each US President’s gravesite remains unfinished.

Molly excelled professionally, but her family mattered more than anything to her. She was an exceptionally caring daughter, sister, friend, and – most importantly – mother. Whether it was providing detailed ‘big sister’ advice on anything and everything, cooking her mother special dishes, planning a trip for the three of them to somewhere sunny, or putting together a care package of treats for her goddaughters, she always made others feel loved. In 2020, her beloved father, Timothy H. Gilbert of Canandaigua, NY, predeceased her. She missed their diner visits and exchanges of historical tidbits. She is also predeceased by her grandparents, Wallace and Jean Stevenson and William and Ruth Gilbert. Molly had fond memories of special times with each grandparent.

Molly spent years navigating the international adoption process before she brought home Wadley and Saul in September 2020. Becoming a mother meant more than anything to her. She adored the boys, who were the light of her life. Molly particularly enjoyed being known on her school campus not only as a teacher, but more importantly, as Wadley and Saul’s mother.

Memorial contributions can be made to a GoFundMe account the family has established to cover the costs associated with the boys’ custody and their education.

https://gofund.me/204467d3