Mary "Molly" Katherine Lynch

Mary Katherine Helm Lynch, also known as Molly, died peacefully from the complications of Alzheimer’s Disease on March 3, 2024, in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 76. She was surrounded in death by her loving family.

Molly was a beloved mother to Sean Lynch of Petaluma and Kate Lynch Jerkens and son-in-law Allen Jerkens of Santa Monica. She adored her grandchildren Colin and Holden Lynch of Petaluma and Reese, Oliver, and Kellan Jerkens of Santa Monica. 

Molly was born on May 12, 1947 to Clara and Walter Helm in Carmel, California. 

Molly was preceded in death by her former husband, Frank Lynch; her mother; father; brother-in-law, Larry Lauber, and nephew, Trey Atkin.

Molly graduated from Santa Catalina School for Girls High School in 1965. After high school, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of San Francisco (USF) School of Nursing in 1969. Molly also earned Family Planning Nurse Practitioner and School Health Nursing Certifications from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) as well as a Masters in Educational Counseling at USF.

Molly's nursing career began at Letterman Army Medical Center (LAMC), in San Francisco, as a commissioned officer in the United States Army Nurse Corps. In her first several years as a nurse, she worked in hospital, clinical, and educational settings, often filling leadership roles. She provided direct patient care at LAMC, Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula, and clinical care for women at Planned Parenthood of the Monterey Peninsula. 

Molly’s work as a nurse led her to help others in a variety of ways, including as Director of Student Health Services and as an instructor for the Associate Degree Nursing Program at Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC). In the 1991-92 academic year, Molly was honored by the Health Services Association California Community Colleges (HSACCC) for Outstanding Leadership as State President for the organization. She was Molly’s greatest joy was in helping others and mentoring younger health team members and students. While in that role, she was called to work with SRJC students as an academic counselor and she completed her Masters in Counseling in order to do so. She was instrumental in creating and continuing the liaison relationship between counseling and nursing and was a mentor to other counselors as they worked with students preparing for careers in nursing.

In addition, Molly was a pioneering member of the SRJC Counseling faculty in Petaluma, where she lived.  At the time, the college was housed in trailers on the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, and Molly was a strong advocate for the building of the Petaluma Campus.

During her tenure at SRJC, Molly received the prestigious Florence Howe Award, for outstanding contributions to SRJC, served on the College Council, and was Counseling Department Chair.

Molly was a woman of grace, kindness, and excellence. Even after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's, she remained an advocate for others with the disease, organizing fundraising events and speaking about the disease. She was actively involved in Alzheimer's research and supported services for the unhoused through donations to the Committee on the Shelterless.

Molly’s greatest love, however, was for her family. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and her siblings Walter Helm, Betsy Hansen (Jim Hansen), Marjorie Helm (Chip Atkin), Anthony Helm (Roseanna Helm), Susan Helm-Lauber and Terri Helm-Remund (Allan Remund) as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews and many friends and colleagues.

Molly’s children, grandchildren, siblings and friends created a circle of caring for her as she declined.

Molly will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her legacy of kindness, advocacy, and love for family and friends will live on in the hearts of those she touched.

Natural Grace Funerals in Santa Monica, California, provided funeral arrangements.

Molly’s family invites you to join them at a memorial service at the Petaluma Woman’s Club, at 518 B Street, that is planned for August 4, 2024, at 2 PM. 

Donations may be made in Molly’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association and to the Petaluma Committee on the Shelterless (COTS).

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