Molly (Mary Chafee) Harrington, 89, died peacefully on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at The Village at Waterman Lake in Greenville, RI.
Born April 26, 1935, to Dr. Francis H. Chafee and his wife Jane Chafee of Providence, Molly graduated from Walnut Hill School in Natick, Massachusetts. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Vassar College in 1957, and pursued some post graduate education at Brown University before meeting and marrying the love of her life, Carroll, on July 11, 1959, a marriage that lasted more than 65 years.
Together, they purchased Country Corner Farm on Long Entry Road in Chepachet in November, 1961. There, they raised beef cows, chickens, sheep, ducks, cats, and at one time, a goat. Molly embraced farm life with enthusiasm.
She also raised four children, Nathan, Hayley, Chris, and Alex, and was a second mother to many more, including several neighborhood children and five exchange students from Japan and Germany, studying an academic year in America. There was always room at the table for another place setting, and Molly, an excellent cook, could brew up an army of food and make it look easy.
Additionally, Molly worked at the Golden Lamb Buttery, a four-star restaurant in Brooklyn, CT, for 25 years. To say she waitressed would be an understatement of the welcome and comfort she provided customers, who requested her again and again for her joyful demeanor.
She also learned the art of bookbinding, and volunteered her time binding books at the Providence Athenaeum for many years. For 35 years she was also the chairperson of the donations committee for the Mary Dexter Chafee Fund, and found immense satisfaction in this charitable work.
Molly was also involved locally, including helping to form the Glocester Heritage Society, of which she was president for a short time, and with the Glocester Recreation Commission. She and Carroll also took to bicycling, and Molly completed the Narragansett Bay Wheelmen 100-mile “Century” ride in 1981. Later on she and Carroll would take their energies toward the White Mountains of New Hampshire, hiking many mountains and visiting every hut.
Molly was also an avid sewer, watercolor artist, and gardener. She and Carroll planted up to 1000 daffodils every autumn in the field across from their farmhouse, drawing awe from passersby as they bloomed each April.
Molly is survived by her husband, Carroll S. Harrington of Greenville, RI; daughter Hayley C. and son-in-law David S. Robinson of Jamestown RI, son Christopher C. Harrington of Japan, daughter Alexandra H. and son-in-law William P. Pepin of Lincoln RI, and grandsons Michael E. Robinson and his wife Holly S., Noah T. Robinson, Joshua D. Robinson, Neil J. Pepin, and Jack C. Pepin. She is predeceased by her brothers, Richard S. Chafee and Nathanial Chafee, and son Nathan S. Harrington.
Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Molly’s memory to the Harmony Library, 195 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814.