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Molly Phalen Memorial

In Celebration of Molly

Burpee Museum is hosting a memorial dedication ceremony to formally recognize the Molly Phalen Memorial bench in the Burpee Nature Nook outdoor classroom.  All donors and friends of Molly are invited.

 

Please Join Us

 

Molly Phalen Open House & Reception

 

Date: November 2, 2024

Time: 1:00pm-5:00pm

Formal Dedication 2:00pm

The Molly Phalen Memorial Fund

On behalf of everyone at Burpee Museum of Natural History, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all supporting the The Molly Phalen Memorial Fund!  Thanks to you, we raised enough to commission a beautiful mosaic bench in her honor.   This fund will continue to support the educational experiences of young people in our community.

Burpee is excited to share that phase 2 of our Nature Nook outdoor classroom is nearly complete! Molly would be so thrilled! The new water feature, walking paths, butterfly barn and prairie maintenance are underway –thanks to you, the Brubaker Foundation, the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, and SPARK with the Rockford Arts Alliance. 

A Museum & Education Advocate

Molly was a long time Burpee supporter.  She served on the Board of Trustees for 7 years, took a year off, and returned for another 7 year commitment in 2018.  Her wisdom in HR situations, her guidance in financial conversations, and her dedication to the advancement of the Burpee Museum mission made her a unique and special Board Member.  Joyfully, she was able to attend Monarch Fest in fall of 2023, shortly before her passing. Molly has given a large portion of her heart to Burpee Museum, and for that we will forever be in her debt.
For me personally, I have lost a mentor and a friend. Molly was always someone I could rely on for sage advice, a great laugh, and support.  Her strong willed approach to life, and love of humanity and science is an inspiration.   May her soul, and the souls that mourn her, find comfort and peace.
With Great Respect,
Anne F. Weerda
Burpee Museum Executive Director

 The Story of a ‘Warrior’ for education

Molly (Mary Catherine) Phalen was born on October 25, 1950, to John and Mary Phalen in Polo, Illinois. After graduating from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree she joined the noble ranks of being a teacher. After teaching a few years, she knew that real change needed to happen. As the fearless leader of the Rockford Education Association, she tirelessly advocated to improve the rights and working conditions for staff as well as keeping in mind the needs of all students for a quality education. In her role at the REA, she also served on the Illinois Education Association Board of Directors and was a trustee on the Teachers’ Retirement System. She championed many innovative programs and forged positive connections in Rockford and around the state.

 

There were so many facets to Molly’s life. Traveling around the world, forming friendships through scuba diving, serving on the Burpee Museum Board and having a cocktail with family and friends all gave her great joy. Always hopeful, she prayed for positive research strides toward better treatment or a cure for Parkinson’s Disease. Her Parkinson’s boxing buddies gave her strength to meet each day with hope and a positive attitude. To everyone who knew and grieve her, she lived by this advice: Do the best you can each day; you should make a difference. Do not ever give up; maybe you just need to find a different way to do something. Hug a child, a dear friend or a puppy; this will energize you to face life’s challenges. And please, vote for the democrat of your choice.

Molly is survived by her sister Stevie (Dudley) Andrew, and brother John (Steph) Phalen. She’s also survived by very special nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Also survived by friends all around the world and her sweet puppy, Mazie.

The Molly Phalen Memorial Fund

Generous Donors Include:

Dudley & Stephanie Andrew
John & Anna Borchers
Joseph Bove
Marcia Carlstrom
Sandra Carter
Lucille Christensen
Sherri Crawford
Cecelia & Mark Dahlgren
Rhonda & Russ Dailing
Paul & Debra Davis
Sally & Phil Dawkins
Kelly Day
William Donovan
James Duffy
Louis & Mary Ann Ferruggia
Margaret & Michael Fox
Jean & John Frana
Theodore & Sharon Gahlbeck
Linda Gibson
Minnie Glover
Stephen & Mary Goers
Daniel & Pamela Green
Joan Gullo
Linda & Richard Hamlett
Dennis & Jean Harezlak
Georgena Hartlieb
Norma Hoffman
Dominic & Pamela Iasparro
Ruth Ann Jacobson
Cynthia Janssen
Marcia & Bradley Johnson
Marian & Steven Jones
Patty Jones-Kuhn
James & Pamela Keeling
Sheri Kennedy
Kim Klickna
Julie Kosinski
Steven & Lynne Landi
Lois Lutz
Colleen Magee
Ralph & Mary Ann McBride
Joseph McGrath
Jacquelyn Morgan
Barbara Morris
Karen Morris
Eileen Morrissey
Rita Nonneman
Suzanne Orr
Linda Oshita
Kim Oswald
Kathryn & Susan Paterson
Lisa Peterson-Doll
Yolanda Precioso
Kathleen Rehak
Peter & Janice Rehnberg
Gail & Mike Rielly

Kimberlee & Frederick Rogers
James & Mary Ann Rogge
Mitchell Roth
Scott Suma
Karen Schiller
Joseph & Kathleen Schoening
Dawn Schultz
Tammy & Douglas Scott
Denise Somers
Lyn Styczynski & Leonard Greenberg
Scott Suma
Kim Swanson
Kevin & Debbie Talbott
Gary Taylor & Susan Ashley
Shirley Ann Tudor
John Tunnell
Cheryl Wagner
Jon & Eugnia Youngren