Margaret "Molly" Eileen Thimons

March 13, 2024

CHARLOTTE – Margaret “Molly” Eileen Thimons, daughter of the late Kathryn and Hugh McGinn Jr., died on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.  She recently celebrated her 70th birthday on January 16, 2024.

Molly was born in Charleston, West Virginia before moving with her parents and six siblings to Chillicothe, Ohio, where she attended Bishop Flaget High School, an institution that left an indelible mark on Molly.  She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Ohio University. She carried her experiences from her time in Ohio throughout life and looked back on them fondly and often.

Molly spent over 30 years of her life in Fairfield, Connecticut, where she raised a family and forged deep ties to her community.  She was a widely beloved middle school science teacher at St Ann’s in Bridgeport, Connecticut.  Her passion for teaching brought her tremendous joy and purpose, and her reach as an educator was profound.

Molly celebrated every moment spent with her family and took great pride in the traditions they all grew to treasure.  Her ability to create and preserve new traditions contributed to a lifetime of wonderful memories for her children, siblings, nieces and nephews, friends, and students – ones many will no doubt carry on for years and generations to come.  Molly was known for her distinct sense of humor; her laughter could light up a room and her innate passion for her life and the people in it were a source of inspiration and comfort for all who knew her.  She loved her children and grandchildren beyond measure and devoted her life to selflessly and happily supporting each of them.

Molly is survived by her three children, Colin James Thimons and his wife, Stephanie Spurlock Thimons, Anna Reilly Thimons, and Kathryn Elizabeth Stephenson and her husband, Luke and grandchildren, Connor Hansen Thimons and Claire Elizabeth Thimons.  Also surviving are her sisters, Mary Pat Holewinski, Kathy Hayes, and Kelly Bolte and brother, Michael McGinn.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 E. Morehead Street, Charlotte, NC.  The family will receive friends following the service at a reception in the Welcome Center.

Memorials in Molly’s honor may be made to Atrium Health Foundation, Attn: Levine Cancer Institute Advancement Fund, 7800 Providence Road, Suite 208, Charlotte, NC 28226.  Her family extends their deepest gratitude to the physicians and staff at the Levine Cancer Institute for their support of Molly on her cancer journey.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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  • Suzi (Smitty) Cunningham

    I have known Molly since first grade and we attended Elementary through high school and college at OU together. We were pregnant together with our class of 2000 sons. I have always looked up to and enjoyed Molly’s great sense of humor and kindness. I was so happy to have spent time with her and caught up with her at our 50th reunion. I was looking forward to seeing her at our big 70th birthday party celebration in September. I am so sad that she is gone and I am sending condolences to all of her family. May God‘s blessings be with you all.

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  • Suzi (Smitty) Cunningham

    I am so sad to hear of Molly’s passing. I have known her since 1st grade. We attended elementary through High School together and theh OU Athens. We shared pregnancies with our Class of 2000 sons. Molly was always so sweet and fun. I was so happy to spend time with her at our 50th reunion. My deepest sympathy for all of her family. God’s blessings to all!

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  • Grace Marlene Boggs

    So sorry to hear of the passing of Molly. I am so grateful that she took time out of her busy schedule to join us as we celebrated our 50th class reunion at Bishop Flaget High School two years ago. She always had the gift of making everyone feel special. She will truly be missed by all who knew her. RIP my friend.

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  • Nina Grady French

    Molly was always a light and the sweetest person ever! She is in heaven but will always be in our hearts!?❤️

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  • Sara and Brian Broadt

    So very sorry. Molly was a sweet and kind lady. She made you feel welcome and loved anytime you were with her. Keeping all the family in our thoughts and prayers.

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  • Betty Grady Callender

    My deepest sympathies to the entire family for your loss.

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  • Jane McHarg Highland

    Although I haven’t seen Molly for several years my heart broke upon hearing of her death. I was filled with many memories of happy times from our youth in Chillicothe. Recently, sharing online stories and pictures of our children and grandchildren made us happy. This is a lovely tribute to a life well lived, a mother who dearly loved her children and a grandmother who doted on her grandchildren. She was loved deeply by her siblings whom she adored. The McGinn family was full of love, shenanigans, and wonderful times spent together. My sincere condolences and love to each of you. To her three children, your mother will always be with you. Hold on to memories and the simplest of moments you shared with your lovely Mother.

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  • Megan Van Tornhout

    When my sister and I were growing up we were fortunate enough to be part of the bus stop group that met in front of Molly’s house every morning to go to school. We had just moved to Connecticut from Indiana, and Colin & Riley were some of our first friends in CT. Molly’s family welcomed us to our new neighborhood with open arms. She was generous and loving, opening her home to the pack of children that roamed our neighborhood and hardly ever got upset with us for stealing and eating the frozen cookie dough she always seemed to have in the chest freezer in her garage. I have so many memories of her as both a mom to my friends and a friend to my parents. The memories of my childhood are indelibly stamped with her presence. I and so many others were so lucky to have had her in our lives.
    I’m so sorry for your loss,
    Megan

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  • Kathleen Goldammer-Copeland

    I first met Molly just over four years ago when we were both new to Charlotte and in the same MOAMI (Moving On After Moving In) group, which morphed into a virtual (Covid!) then an in-person book club. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know the irrepressible, joyful Molly! Over the last four years, Molly transformed herself from a woman who was sorely missing her friends and family in Connecticut to someone who was literally beaming with joy the last time I saw her. Molly lived first and foremost for her family and loved talking and bragging about her two grandchildren, Connor and Claire. What has impressed me the most about the amazing Molly was the strength and acceptance she showed in her last weeks of life, and her incredible faith in God. In the words of R.L. Stevenson, "The man (woman!) is a success who has lived well, loved much, and laughed often" and that, to me, describes Molly to a T.

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