Molly Ann Wadsworth

Molly Ann Wadsworth (Hughes), 80, of Terre Haute, Indiana, passed away on July 25, 2024. Molly was born on April 20, 1944 to Lee and Louise Caroline Hughes (Conlon) in Terre Haute. She graduated from Glen High School in 1962, went on to attend DePauw University for three years, and earned a bachelor's degree in education from Indiana University in 1967 after following her husband to Bloomington, IN. While her diploma says IU, she was always a DePauw Tiger at heart. She met James Michael “Mike" Wadsworth in 1963 for a blind date on Izaak Walton Lake where Mike won Molly over with his water skiing antics and congenial, friendly nature. They were married on June 6, 1965. They celebrated 59 years of marriage together this year.

Molly and Mike moved to Dallas, TX in 1967 and Molly worked as an executive secretary for Cornell Oil Company. They shared many fond memories of their time in Texas, but Molly missed her family, the change of seasons, and trees. In 1970, Mike and Molly returned to Terre Haute to start a family and join the family business, Wadsworth Furnace Company, with Jim and Helen Wadsworth. Molly worked in the business as the Office Manager for more than 20 years, bringing it into the digital age and proving to be a master problem solver when issues arose.

Molly was actively involved in her community. She was a long time member of Central Presbyterian Church where she was an ordained Elder and Deacon. She served her church in many ways through the years, and most recently served on the Mission Committee. Molly was also a member of PEO, Chapter BN, for 51 years and enjoyed her service and many friends there. She also nurtured a close group of friends that all graduated from Glen High School around the same time and enjoyed getting together with them as time and schedules allowed.

Molly loved her family and loved storytelling. And oh, what stories she had to share! She would tell tales about growing up in Terre Haute, moving to the farm in East Glen, the orphaned sheep she raised by hand and the many farm dogs they had. She told stories about the pony she got to keep when it turned up in their pastures one too many times and the owner told her father to keep it. There were stories from Mike and Molly's time in married student housing in Bloomington and their Friday night outings on the $2 they had to spare in the 60s. Molly loved telling stories about her family, often sharing about her time living on Ohio Blvd with her grandmother during WWII, or traveling to Utah for the Final Four with Mike, Jim and Helen. Her family never tired of her stories because she told them in such detail and with such joy.

Molly also loved to travel. Despite the fact that she did not enjoy flying, Molly and Mike often flew places together in Mike's private plane. Molly even took the initiative to complete an AOPA Pinch Hitters course, which taught her how to land an airplane solo in the event of an emergency. Talk about tenacious! And she aced the course! Molly loved Colorado, and she often traveled there with Mike over the years. They often hiked, went jeeping, and camping in the high country and Molly loved the mountains. Closer to home, they enjoyed visiting Beaver Island, Charlevoix, and Petoskey in Michigan. They often vacationed on Beaver Island and the whole family shares fond memories of times there.

More than anything, Molly loved the serenity and peacefulness of her family farm, and sharing that farm with all her family–both immediate and extended. She loved sitting on the deck with her morning coffee, watching the mist rise off the lake and the wildlife waking up for the day. She often said there was no place she'd rather be, and that she loved having family enjoy this place with her. She felt especially close to God in this place where she could watch His creations in all their glory.

Molly is survived by her husband, James Michael Wadsworth; her children, David Wadsworth, James Matthew (Christie) Wadsworth, and Caroline (Jeremy) Johnson; and nine grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Louise Caroline Hughes, her sister and brother-in-law, Patricia Ellen Beck and Robert Beck, and her daughter-in-law, Beth Wadsworth (Townsend).

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in honor of Molly at one of the following charities:

●      PEO Chapter BN, ℅ Ms. Deanna Prevo, 7433 E. Beatrice Ct., Terre Haute, IN 47802

●      Central Presbyterian Church Mission Committee, 125 N. 7th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807

●      Bread for the World, https://give.bread.org/page/51111/donate/1?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=website&utm_campaign=give&utm_content=header&utm_term=fundraising&ea.tracking.id=24WWA01X

A celebration of life for Molly will be on Aug. 10 at Callahan and Hughes Funeral Home in Terre Haute. Visitation will be 11am - 1pm and a service will follow. Molly loved bright colors and wildflowers. Please honor her by dressing in the bright colors she loved so much.