Petersburg Pilot -

Molly Patricia Judge Parks

was born in Ketchikan, Alaska and graduated from Petersburg High School in May of 2016. In her short, sweet time on this earth, she grew to be a strong, kind, beautiful and determined young woman. Molly was a

passionate soul who held dearly to her beliefs. She believed in the important things in life; like make-up, hair die, yoga pants, and of course, well-structured eye brows.

A surprise to her parents, Molly was a real athlete. From the time she was small she loved playing tee ball, and realizing how good she looked in her uniform, she kept playing Little League all the way through middle school. She swam for both the Viking Swim Club and for the high school team, played volleyball for the Lady Vikings, and of course her favorite activity – cheerleading. She cheered her way through High School and with her squad proudly won the

Regional Championships.

Molly was a true cheerleader on and off the court. She always routed for the underdog, making sure that new folks had a friend, the bullied felt empowered and protected, and those with special needs, simply felt special. She embraced Petersburg's Norwegian culture, attending Norwegian Dance Camp for several summers, dancing with the Leikerring Dancers, and encouraging some of her favorite little friends to do the same.

She was a good talker too; the light of her father's eye, she got him to jump into freezing cold water every year on New Year's Day and eventually her mother made the leap. She'd call a friend in the middle of the night to try out a plan, only to move ahead with it despite her friend's good advice not too. And Molly could work her way into your heart, just by flashing you (as her Mother would call them) her very well paid for teeth.

Molly was registered at Central Washington University, and with the assistance of the Harry Kito and Petersburg Volunteer Fire

Department scholarships, planned to study to become a Special Education Teacher.

No doubt, Molly was beautiful inside and out. When she returned from Europe after her trip with People to People, she showed a glimpse of the amazing woman and world traveler she was on the path to become. As her final act, Molly served as an organ donor,

offering her body to the betterment of over one hundred individuals who now have the great fortune of having a little Molly Parks in them.

Molly is survived by; her parents, RD and Madonna Parks;

grandmother Patricia Parks; aunt Michelle Parks; grandparents Robert and Mollyann Judge; aunts and uncles Christine and Greg Lackermann, Rosemary Giunta, Allan Judge, Sue Williams Judge, Teresa and Jeff Dunham, and Kevin Judge; cousins Sarah, Mark, Amelia and Ava; Will and Julie; Sal, Jen, Lily and Vincent; Mario and Ericka; Katie, Brad and Sophia; Katelyn and Shamus; Clinton and Marilyn; Molly and Cameron; Colin and Charlotte and Jennifer. And Molly's boyfriend Ben Johnson plus countless friends and

community members who will love her always.

A celebration of life was held on July 9, 2016 at Sandy Beach Park in Petersburg. A memorial account named

'In Memory of Molly Parks in Support of Special Ed in

Petersburg' has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank.