Mollie Catherine Murphy

Mollie Catherine Murphy passed away with her close family and friends by her side on February 28, 2024 at the age of 35 years. Mollie was a uniquely amazing person, and a loving mom, wife, daughter, sister, auntie, and friend. Mollie cultivated joy, love, and laughter among those privileged to know her, and is dearly remembered for her big heart, positivity, and fearlessness.

Mollie was the first baby of the year born in Ukiah, California on January 1, 1989, to parents Vivian White and Kevin Murphy. Mollie was born with a congenital heart condition and had her first heart surgery at seventeen days old. She went on to have a heart transplant at 13 years old. Even though she lived with a life-threatening condition, Mollie was a warrior and never let her condition stop her from living every day to its fullest.

She attended Mariposa Elementary School, where she cultivated deep friendships, a sense of adventure, curiosity, and a love of nature. She consistently modeled and taught those around her to find joy in every moment and to face each day with courage, love, and resilience. Mollie lit up any room she walked into with her smile, charisma, and humor. From a young age, she participated in local theater and performing arts, including through the local School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education (SPACE) and Ukiah Player’s Theatre (UPT). In high school, Mollie and her friends formed “The Conundrums,” a comedy improv group, where she used her quick wit and comedic talents to bring laughter, joy and playfulness to students and parents alike, while she and the troupe seldom missed a chance to embarrass the parents with bawdy humor. Mollie was an unabashed extrovert and people person. She was compassionate, caring, and valued deep connections. She had a way of making friends wherever she went by breaking the ice with jokes to create comfort, connection, and space for vulnerability. She is also well remembered for fiercely never allowing accidental cruelty to go unchecked, while her reprimands were always delivered with caring and respect.

Mollie graduated from UC Santa Cruz, then moved to Everett, WA to volunteer for AmeriCorps at a local community center, working with both youth and parents of immigrant and refugee families. In 2012, she moved to San Francisco, where she worked for Seneca Family of Agencies, working to l ocate and connect family members of foster children and create plans to keep children out of foster care. She then pursued a law degree, graduating from UC Davis School of Law in 2017. After graduating, she moved to Sacramento and worked as an attorney at Boutin Jones, Inc. Over the last few years, Mollie worked at the California Department of Managed Health Care, most recently researching and writing policy language to protect the health and wellbeing of California residents. She served as an active board member for Wind Youth Services, working to create safe spaces for homeless and foster youth, and also volunteered as an advocate for organ donation for Sierra Donor Services.

Mollie met her husband Craig Allen in 2012, while living in San Francisco and they quickly connected over their shared fervor for adventure and exploring the great outdoors. They made road trips through many national parks and impromptu weekend trips to the Sierras. Mollie and Craig were married in 2018 in a beautiful ceremony among friends and family in Mollie’s hometown of Ukiah, CA, officiated by her childhood friend, Caleb Meek-Bradley. Craig and Mollie encouraged one another to grow and each challenged the other to step out of their comfort zone. Craig’s steadfast support and encouragement of Mollie helped her to fulfill many dreams.

Mollie and Craig were blessed with the addition of baby Addie in August 2020. Mollie was an incredible mother and partner, and she loved Craig and Addie deeply. They especially enjoyed biking the river trail behind their house, walking their dogs Bruno and Ender, and going to the farmer’s market. Craig, Addie, and Mollie built loving, tight-knit circles of friends and family, often hosting family reunions as well as barbecues and social gatherings for their many loved ones. She formed life-long friendships with people all along the way, creating an intentional community of friends, a chosen family, in Sacramento.

She did everything she could to support a long, healthy life, but after 21 years with her transplanted heart, it suddenly failed her. Her family and friends were stunned and deeply saddened. Our loss is incalculable, while Mollie’s love is still palpable.

Mollie is survived by her husband Craig N. Allen, daughter Addilyn M. Allen, mother Vivian K. White, father Kevin P. Murphy, and brother Colin J. Murphy and by the many close relatives on both sides of the extended, loving family created by Craig and Mollie’s marriage.

In lieu of flowers, people are encouraged to share messages, pictures and stories about Mollie with Craig, Addie, and the extended family at rememberingmolliemurphy@gmail.com. If you’d like to do more, please consider donations to Sierra Donor Services or Wind Youth Services in Mollie’s name. Details about a Celebration of Life to be held in Sacramento on July 28th will be announced in the on-line obituary at https://obits.eastlawn.com/mollie.murphy.