Mary Elizabeth Horstman ("Molly")

Mary (Molly) E. (Moore) Horstman


Mary (Molly) Elizabeth (Moore) Horstman, 86, of Centerville, OH peacefully passed away September 2, 2023 in Hospice of Dayton.


Molly was preceded in death by her parents (Ann and Gene Moore), sisters (Martha Carrick, Ann Szabo), brothers (Mike, Bob and Joseph Moore). She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Al Horstman; brother, Jack Moore; daughters (5), Jeanne (Todd) Johnson, Kathy (Tom) Hinds, Kelly (Dan) McCloskey, Molly (Tee Pazitney) Horstman and Micki (Bill) Fitzgerald; grandchildren (6), Jennifer (Justin) Brown, Sara (Jeremy) Langenderfer, Kevin Hinds, Kristina (Ryan) Roeber, Colman (Mikenzie) Fitzgerald and Kennedy (fiance Andrew Cassman) Fitzgerald; and great grandchildren (6), Amelia, Lily, Everett, Colman, Roman and Bernadette; several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.


While born in Cincinnati, OH on October 3, 1936, Molly grew up in Dayton attending grade school at Corpus Christi, Julienne High School and the University of Dayton. She married Al on a snowy December day in 1956 in Dayton, but Al’s military commitment moved them to warmer weather in Florida, where they welcomed daughter Jeanne. Soon after, they were stationed in Hawaii, and had daughter #2 (Kathy). They returned to Dayton for a few years, bore daughters Kelly #3 and Molly #4, before settling in Sylvania, OH for the next 16 years (and rounding out the family with #5, Micki). They returned to Dayton in 1984.


Daughter, sister, wife, sister-in-law, aunt, mother, Godmother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, Molly held many titles and wore many hats in her life. As she was extraordinary in each of these roles, she also built her own career - prior to having children, then when they were older - as an elementary school educator and an office manager for multiple businesses in sports and healthcare. While her “girls” were growing, she actively supported school functions, then continued “giving back” when her nest emptied as a volunteer at the Alzheimer’s Association and Hospice of Dayton. Of all she did, by far Molly believed her greatest accomplishment was her 5 girls!


Molly was fun! She was proud of her Irish heritage, hosting her “annual” St. Patrick’s Day party, ensuring her girls had Irish names and regularly attending Irish festivals. She was an avid sports fan, specifically cheering and proudly singing the fight songs for the University of Kentucky Wildcats (in basketball), the Ohio State University Buckeyes (for football) and the University of Dayton Flyers (solely for the fight song!). She was unassumingly competitive - hated to lose in cards, tennis, games, or even gambling (when betting with her son-in-law during March Madness, the horse races or the slot machines) - but she loved to play!


Many friends have described Molly as a kind, selfless, compassionate, loyal, courageous, honest person. A devout Catholic, committed to her faith. A best friend. Her husband, daughters and grandchildren simply describe her as “perfect”.


The family has tremendous gratitude for her vast healthcare team and the care they provided.


Visitation will be Friday, September 15, 2023 from 5 - 8 pm at Westbrock Funeral Home, 5980 Bigger Road in Kettering, OH. A Catholic mass will be held at St. Leonard Church, 8100 Clyo Road, Centerville, OH on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 10 am.