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You are here: Home / Open Threads / RIP, Molly Hightower

RIP, Molly Hightower

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Commenter Comrade Luke passes along the sad news that his friend’s niece died in the Haitian earthquake:

The family of 22-year-old Molly Hightower, of Port Orchard, was told early today that searchers found the young woman’s body in the wreckage of the Haiti orphanage where she worked as a volunteer.

Her father, Mike Hightower, said the word the family had been dreading came in a phone call from the organization that runs the orphanage.

***

Hightower was a 2009 graduate of the University of Portland. Her majors included sociology and French. She arrived in Haiti in June for a year of service working for Friends of the Orphans, which operates with the help of several hundred international volunteers. She helped at an orphanage, at a hospital and also worked with disabled children.

Such a loss.

Reader Interactions

134Comments

  4. 4.

    beltane

    This is horrible. Maybe you could post a link to Friends of Orphans so donations could be made in Molly’s name.

  5. 5.

    licensed to kill time

    It’s very sad. She looks like she was a lovely, caring person who wanted to help people and make a positive change in the world. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.

  6. 6.

    You Don't Say

    I’m so sorry. Molly sounds like a wonderful person who will be missed by many. My heart goes out to the Hightower family and Molly’s friends and the children she was working with and to everyone in Haiti.

  9. 9.

    ThatLeftTurnInABQ

    My condolences. Once again, the good die young. What a terrible loss, that somebody who was that selfless and giving is now gone.

  13. 13.

    Citizen_X

    Crap. Crap.

    That story, of course, times 50,000. But “collapsed orphanage” is a whole different level of tragic.

  14. 14.

    JGabriel

    My condolences to the Hightower family and friends. It must leave a terrible hole to lose someone so evidently young, caring, generous, and giving of herself. My sympathies.

    .

  15. 15.

    Ash Can

    Molly was obviously a very fine young lady. What a terrible, tragic loss. Condolences to the family at this horribly difficult time.

  18. 18.

    Captain Goto

    Please, *Please*, can we hope that the media parasites leave the family alone for a while?

  20. 20.

    canuckistani

    I hope it’s some kind of consolation that she was doing a good thing for the world when she died.

  22. 22.

    CoffeeTim

    This wonderful young woman gave voice to her values with her actions. Though her voice is now silenced it will always beckon us to listen to “the better angels of our nature.”

    To her family, I wish you peace.

  24. 24.

    ellaesther

    How does one even begin to respond?

    I’m so glad that this young lady lived her last hours doing something that clearly meant so much to her, so proud of her (how can I be proud of someone I’ve never met) that she chose the path she did, so terribly, terribly sad for her family, so saddened by the loss of her potential, and just eviscerated over, as Citizen_X points out, the words “wreckage of [an] orphanage”….

    So stunned by the knowledge that this story, or a version of this story, is being repeated in tens, possibly hundreds of thousands of homes today.

  25. 25.

    PaulW

    This is terrible news for her family, for her friends.

    All of Haiti is suffering now, far more than any people ought to.

    The pity of it, past the donations, past the condolences, my God, what else can we do? I feel so… small… in this moment.

  28. 28.

    geg6

    I expressed my sympathies earlier, but let me add them again here.

    This whole thing is just a horrible tragedy. Every way it possibly can be. Just awful.

  31. 31.

    moe99

    I am so sorry and so sad. My sympathies to Comrade Luke and to Molly’s family. There is no loss so terrible as that of one’s child.

  32. 32.

    Faux News

    Terrible, just terrible. If it’s any comfort I hope her family knows that Molly will live on in the good deeds she did in her life here and in Haiti.

  33. 33.

    Notorious P.A.T.

    That’s awful. She sounds like a terrific person who was doing a lot of good. I’m so sorry for her loved ones.

  37. 37.

    ellaesther

    @PaulW: I feel the same. The one thing that helped me (and lord do I feel ridiculous for wanting help in this moment, but there it is) was pulling together a post in which I taught myself about Haiti’s history and why things were as bad as they were even before the earthquake, with some thoughts about what can be done to help, both now and in the future.

    My internet friend Nefarious Newt made a comment that I also point to in that post, because he draws the conclusion that we of course need to help as much as we can, but we also have to draw some conclusions for the future, not just about Haiti but about our own backyard. For me, what makes the most sense is to think of the future — how can we find the way forward?

    You might find something useful there: Learning Haiti.

  42. 42.

    Joe Lisboa

    Please add my condolences. The world is not a fair place, sorry Pat Robertson. My deepest sympathies to her loved ones.

  44. 44.

    Tracy

    Molly seemed like a remarkable young lady and she will be missed by many. She did so many amazing things for those children in the orphanage. My sincere condolences to her family and everyone that knew her.

  47. 47.

    BigSwami

    May she receive blessings and merits. May she achieve a heavenly rebirth.

    If you believe in that kind of thing, which I do.

    Saints walk among us. Never forget this.

  48. 48.

    Emma

    Nothing to say except that it sounds like she was those people who truly made a difference and she left the world much too early.

  49. 49.

    lesley

    what a beautiful being. bet she did more good in her too short life than most do with a long one. the world is worse without her. so sad. so fucking sad.

  51. 51.

    Senyordave

    My deepest condolonces to the family. Always hits home more when tragedy like this is personalized.

  52. 52.

    suzanne

    what a wonderful woman. my heart is with her family, and all those children.

    may this inspire each of us to give the best we can of ourselves to the world, just as molly did of herself.

  53. 53.

    Kerry Reid

    I am saddened by this news — but I take heart knowing that there are wonderful people like Molly in the world. She did more to make a difference in her short time than most of us will ever imagine. Blessings to her memory and her loved ones.

  56. 56.

    CaseyL

    Terrible, terrible news. She seems like precisely the kind of person we need more of. My heart goes out to her friends and family.

  59. 59.

    Leelee for Obama

    I heard a friend of hers last night on CNN, when they didn’t know her status, but you could tell they were not hopeful. She was napping two floors down from the young lady being featured, who was on the fifth floor. There wasn’t much chance she would have survived, but I’m sure most people hoped anyway, because miracle happen all the time, and this young lady, Molly, certainly seemed deserving of one. What a loss, how sad for her family and all who loved her. I send my condolences to them with a hopeful heart, that this disaster will open the minds and hearts of people who can help this country that has suffered so much tragedy. Money, volunteerism, attention to the needs of these gallant people who are so tested by nature and man.

    Like ellaesther and others have said, after this crisis, we must help them be whole again.

  60. 60.

    General Winfield Stuck

    So sorry Comrade Luke. My deepest condolences to Molly’s family and friends. geesh, so much tragedy, words fail.

  64. 64.

    Tonybrown74

    I don’t think I can say anything that would be remotely appropriate …

    She appeared to be a wonderful person.

    I am so so sorry for your loss.

  65. 65.

    Barbara

    Oh, how sad. Condolences to her family and friends and many wishes for comfort and healing in their grief.

  66. 66.

    PurpleGirl

    Oh, how terrible. I hope her family and friends find peace, comfort and support to help them cope with their loss.

    I hope that maybe they come by BJ and read our comments and that the comments provide comfort for them.

  68. 68.

    Jenn

    I’m so very very sorry. I can’t find words, but echo everyone above me.

    R-Jud, thanks for providing the link to Friends of the Orphans.

  70. 70.

    burnspbesq

    So sad that she is gone. Condolences to her friends and family.

    So important to celebrate who she was and what she did. Let her sharing and caring be an example and a challenge to those who remain.

  72. 72.

    Svensker

    No words to say, except how truly sorry I am. What a beautiful girl, what a terrible loss. May the love and light that is in each of us reach out to comfort her family and friends and all the families grieving this day.

  73. 73.

    Demo Woman

    My heartfelt sympathies go to Luke and his family. Thank you RJud for the link to the Friends of the Orphans.

  75. 75.

    Cat Lady

    It’s just all so awful. Just unspeakably awful for our common humanity. I’m not religious, but I offer this:

    Give me, Oh God,
    Deep thoughts
    High dreams
    Few words
    Much silence
    The narrow path
    The wide outlook
    The end in peace.
    Amen.

    You made a difference Molly, and that’s the best we can ever hope for.

  76. 76.

    DBrown

    I am so very sorry for your loss. Molly showed what is best in people and through her work, I am sure, many lives have been made the better. No words can touch the terrible loss you feel but know that your daughter gave her life to make the world a better place and thanks to her efforts, so many lives will be better only because your daughter, Molly, cared so deeply.

    No greater service can one give than what Molly accomplished and she is a true American Hero. The world is a lesser place by her loss and we all share, in a small way, in your terrible pain.

    Molly’s love for the people of Haiti will live on in what she did.

  77. 77.

    Comrade Luke, Taking A Break

    Thank you John, and everyone else too.

    I just got email from her aunt which I thought I’d share.

    Molly was born our Sophomore year and last May, our entire family attended her graduation from University of Portland. She teased me about being old Aunt Tee at her graduation reminding me she was born when we were in college. We went to Vegas in June, just old Aunt Tee and Molly, to celebrate and the next week she left for Haiti.
    I’ll never understand why. We just cherish her innocent times on this Earth.

  78. 78.

    Econwatcher

    How proud those parents must be of their daughter. She sounds like such an extraordinary person, and she literally gave her life for some of the least fortunate on earth. I hope the family’s pride helps salve their grief a little. As the father of a daughter, I can’t imagine their grief. But I hope my little girl grows up to be a little bit like Ms. Hightower.

  80. 80.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Comrade Luke: My deepest condolences to you and Molly’s family. This is just heartbreaking. Molly Hightower sounds like a wonderful young woman. What a tragic loss, but what a world of good she did in her short time on this planet. RIP, Molly, and thank you.

  82. 82.

    John PM

    The thought that keeps going through my head is “No good deed goes unpunished.” A 22-year-old who is working in an orphanage in Haiti gets taken while Rush Limbaugh, Pat Robertson, Dick Cheney, et al, continue to spew their bile while serving no useful purpose.

  84. 84.

    Comrade Luke

    Some interesting speculation on Haiti, and our role in it here.

    I don’t think it’s entirely out of the question that thousands of the remaining able-bodied people in Haiti could flee and head west until they hit our coastline.

    This country basically no longer exists, and we’re the only ones left to help. Too bad we spent on that money in Iraq.

    Just to put it in perspective:

    “There are some moments in international affairs that put global power relations into perspective, however. The U.S. is committing $100 million to Haiti, plus probably untold amounts in private donations from aid organizations and religious groups. President Obama is deploying 5,000 troops including the 82nd Airborne and sending in a carrier task force. American companies are mobilizing humanitarian efforts, and there will likely be dozens of search and rescue teams from across the U.S. trying to land in Haiti. Miami Dade county alone is sending an 80-man search and rescue team.

    China is committing $1 million and sent 50 guys on an Air China plane.

    And from an earlier post of his, based on population, it’s as if everyone in New Orleans drowned.

    I wonder if Limbaugh will be able to see the carnage or Port-au-Prince as he flies over to Haiti on his way to another stag party with teenage hookers in the Dominican Republic.

    Of course, he was talking about how Obama would use this to boost his credibility with light and dark skinned blacks as American volunteers were still trapped in the rubble, so I doubt it.

  85. 85.

    Michael Fairfax

    This is tragic and a heart breaker. My condolences to her family. In this day and age where it seems most Americans care only for physical comforts and what money can buy her death is a loss not only to her family and friends but to the entire world as well.

  86. 86.

    Mary

    What a lovely young woman Molly was. In their grief, I hope her family and friends take some comfort in her outstanding and selfless contributions to this world. It is so much more than most of us have ever done. What a loss.

    Thank you for sharing this.

  87. 87.

    Demo Woman

    @John PM: After reading Luke, Econwatch and Cat Lady, my eyes are filled with tears.
    I agree with you and fortunately the good hearts out weigh the bad hearts. Molly accomplished more in her short life than the rest.

  89. 89.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @Comrade Luke, Taking A Break:

    Comrade Luke: Please give “old Aunt Tee” a special hug from all the Balloon Juicers who don’t know her and never heard of Molly until this afternoon, but who all now have a very personal connection to the Haiti tragedy.

  92. 92.

    aimai

    I am so very, very, sorry. My thoughts are with Molly’s family right now. What a precious person she must have been.

    aimai

  94. 94.

    Annie

    Condolences to her family and friends. Being an aid person myself, I can say that everyone who works in the field is a treasure, and a loss such as this is felt by the entire community. A perfect way to honor her memory and work is to send a donation in her name.

  95. 95.

    ruemara

    It’s awful to see such a bright, spiritual light snuffed out. My condolences to the Hightower family.

  97. 97.

    Delia

    I just got here. I heard the news this morning on my local news outlet since I live just down the river from Portland. I am so sorry for the Hightower family’s loss. Molly seems like she was an extraordinary person. As the old song said, “It seems the good die young.”

  98. 98.

    Ella in NM

    When the world loses such a bright light who lived to bring comfort to others, it hurts. But it always reminds me of just exactly what matters in this world, and redoubles my dedication to trying to accomplish the same thing. Thank you Molly, for your life, your example, and your legacy.

    “May Your strength give us strength,
    May Your faith give us faith,
    May Your hope give us hope,
    May Your love bring us Love.”-B. Springsteen

  99. 99.

    16 shells from a thirty aught six

    Wow, that’s awful. World’s a better place for having had her in it.

  100. 100.

    Yutsano

    @Comrade Luke, Taking A Break: I had an amazingly crazy thought while I was in the shower. I have to look it up in the comments, but there’s an act going through Congress right now that would make it easier for Haitian immigrants to stay in the US. Would it be okay with the family if we could somehow lean on our Congresscritters and get that act named for Molly? It’s probably too much of a shock right now and I may be way off base here, but I think that honoring her name in the Congressional record doing good for the country she worked so hard for might be a good thing. Thoughts anyone?

  101. 101.

    Hiram Taine

    Sympathies and condolences to all those who loved and cared for Ms Hightower.

    Words are such pathetically weak things at a time like this.

  102. 102.

    Violet

    Comrade Luke, deepest condolences to you and Molly’s family and friends. She sounds like a wonderful young woman. Such a terrible tragedy for all.

  103. 103.

    Comrade Darkness

    This is so tragic, at so many levels. Condolences all around, for what they are worth.

  104. 104.

    donovong

    “We just cherish her innocent times on this Earth.”

    That pretty well sums it up for me. Condolences all around.

  105. 105.

    numbskull

    @John PM: Limbaugh just said today that the military is now Meals on Wheels.

    John, why is this guy still carried by Armed Forces Radio? Would it be a service to our service men and women to at least get him moved to the graveyard shift? Why are tax dollars supporting this?

  106. 106.

    Pasquinade

    Comrade Luke, I am so sorry for your loss. Your niece was a generous, loving person. How lucky you were to have her in your life.

  109. 109.

    Stephanie C.

    I saw this on the news tonight and was looking for a place to give my condolences. It absolutely breaks my heart to see something like this happen. I’m only 24… it’s devastating to know that someone two years younger than me went Home already.

    I didn’t know Molly, obviously, but I do know that her memory and the things she did to help the people around her will live on forever. She is inspiring and the joy she seemed to find in helping the children and people of Haiti is uplifting and refreshing in a world of so much greed and selfishness.

    Great people like Molly, they never fade, because they never really leave us.

    ” Do not stand at my grave and weep,
    I am not there, I do not sleep.
    I am in a thousand winds that blow,
    I am the softly falling snow.
    I am the gentle showers of rain,
    I am the fields of ripening grain.
    I am in the morning hush,
    I am in the graceful rush
    Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
    I am the starshine of the night.
    I am in the flowers that bloom,
    I am in a quiet room.
    I am in the birds that sing,
    I am in each lovely thing.
    Do not stand at my grave and cry,
    I am not there. I do not die.

    -Mary Elizabeth Frye “

  110. 110.

    Fergus Wooster

    Can’t stop thinking about this. Deepest humility to her compassion and sense of service. And sincerest condolences to those who raised her to be such a wonderful person.

  111. 111.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @metalgirl #107: That’s kind of you to say. Thanks. Words are desperately inadequate right now.

    @Stephanie C. #109: Lovely poem right now. Thank you for finding and posting it. You say you are 2 years older than Molly. I am more than 3x her age, but I’m ashamed to admit that she gave back more in her 22 years than I have in my 67. Molly is — and I deliberately use the present tense — an inspiration.

  113. 113.

    Marty Wicks

    I was watching CNN just a minute ago. While watching the young movie star (Hatian born), My heart was sadden when he spoke of Ms. Hightower and that he had lunch with her. I immediately google Ms. Hightower’s name and this site came up. Ms. Hightower (Angle-like appearance) holding a young child is memorable. I wish there were more people in the world like her.

    I will pray for Ms. Hightower’s family and friends and pray that in some way and at some time piece fall on her family and friends and that with this trajedy, God show is love and grace and that people can rebuild their lives.

  115. 115.

    Zuzu's Petals

    @Bad Horse’s Filly:

    I see the comments section of her last post has turned into an outpouring of love and support for her family, and praise for this strong, virtuous young woman.

    Whew.

  116. 116.

    DRE CAZ

    Thank you Molly Hightower for your selflessness, love and life you gave for the betterment of people so less fortunate. It is people like you who inspire others. Molly Hightower, you are a genuine hero. Your family and friends have alot to be proud of at this difficult time. Your legacy will impact others to rise up and make a difference in this world, just as you have done.

  117. 117.

    Tim I

    My deepest sympathy to her family. What a fantastic person she must have been to dedicate herself to saving the children of Haiti!

    We are all devastated by her loss! I am so very, very sorry.

  118. 118.

    asiangrrlMN

    My deepest sympathies and condolences to her family, and, indeed, to all who have lost a loved one in Haiti. Molly is a special young woman, and we would do well to follow her example. Here’s hoping that more of us use her as our inspiration than someone like, say, Limbaugh. Molly IS a white light in our sorry world.

  119. 119.

    db

    To the Hightower Family:

    I am so sorry for your loss. Molly lived so many more years than most of us. She has given so many more years to others.

    I am so inspired by her to do more for others with the years I have left.

  120. 120.

    Isabella

    Such a lovely young woman. She died while giving of herself to others. She’s close to the beautific vision. We’re the ones who are suffering.

  121. 121.

    Zuzu's Petals

    @R-Jud:

    Friends of the Orphans has set up a special donation page in Molly’s memory here.

    To paraphrase the Buddhist prayer: “May the triumph of her death serve the welfare of all beings.”

  122. 122.

    AT

    Molly Hightower graduated from my highschool, bellarmine prep, in 2005. Her brother graduated last year. This morning, during first period, we got the announcement over the intercom. Its amazing to me, how silent a room of fourty or so (largest class) students can suddenly become absolutely silent.
    We were read an exerpt from a paper which molly wrote about what college she would be attending. In it, she explained why she chose University of Portland, amoung several reasons, she said it was right for her. She also quoted a bible verse which said something along the lines of “I place my future in the palm of your hands oh lord” It was quite tear jerking.
    We held a mass, and the chaple was so full, we had to have an extended mass in the theater. It was heartbreaking to see everyone crying. Teachers who had taught her were devistated. Father Hightower was her uncle, I believe. The students pulled together money to donate to Haite. She was a remarkable person, who truly had a good heart. Rest In Peace Molly, you are missed. Gone, but absolutely never forgotten.

  126. 126.

    satby

    @Comrade Luke:
    Please convey my condolences to Molly’s family for the loss of such a beautiful spirit; and please let them know that she inspired at least one volunteer to sign up for a msission to Haiti today. Her work will continue.

  127. 127.

    Tracy Rowland

    Molly was a second cousin to my sisters husbands father.
    I feel really sad this happened to this wonderful family.
    Just thinking about this woman I never met brings tears to my eyes. I think about what the family must feel. Knowing that she was was doing what she loved maybe can bring some peace to her family. Molly will be missed by her family and friends and orphans who she dedicated her her life to. I feel for the other families who lost loved ones as well.

  128. 128.

    Kathi

    I light a candle and hold you all in my love and prayers. Molly is a beautiful spirit. Her love will continue on in the changes she made in each of our hearts. I honor her, her family, and hold you in your grief. She chose life, and so must we. With love-

  129. 129.

    Pru McDonald

    For Molly. . .

    The stories, the scenes, the stricken,
    stunned and hopeless faces,
    reach out to me, fill me with utter despair,
    for I would reach back, offer comfort,
    offer water, offer food and help.
    Despair, because at 78 I am here, and they
    thousands of miles away, beyond
    my physical help. Beyond my fierce desire
    to give of myself, whatever I possess
    to ease their trauma, their own immense despair.
    Trying to find meaning, any glimmer
    of hope is beyond my ability at this moment,
    as I read on the internet the hatred
    and lack of understanding from so many
    ignorant fools. I also read comments
    from so many kindred souls, who like me,
    offer all we can give, our prayers,
    our hopes and good wishes, the paltry
    offerings we can spare from our
    own lean bank accounts. I found, however,
    such hope and grace in the story of
    one victim, a young butterfly of a woman
    who only recently emerged from her
    chrysalis, had given only seven months
    of her generous angel-spirit toward
    the welfare of Haitian orphans.
    Reading her blog, over and again,
    and again, gives me hope, knowing that
    there are other dedicated, loving
    souls like hers, sharing compassion
    in this so imperfect world.

    Pru McDonald 1/16/10

  130. 130.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @Pru McDonald: Thank you for those beautiful words. I hope her family will see them and gain some measure of comfort.

    In fact, I hope that somehow Molly’s family and friends will learn of this site (and others) where there has been such an extraordinary and spontaneous outpouring of grief, love and admiration for this inspiring young woman in the past couple of days.

  131. 131.

    Elie

    Late again to this thread:

    Deepest condolences to her family ..

    That said, that kind of light and love is just not lost to the universe I believe. May she live on in the consequences of her good deeds and in the ripple of that in those she leaves behind…

    I celebrate her life though it was way too short

  132. 132.

    Pru McDonald

    SiubhanDuinne, Many thanks for your kind words. I too, hope that her family sees the outpouring of love, admiration and emotion for this remarkable young woman. I felt moved deeply to pay tribute to Molly, and actually later revised my poem a bit… to say more precisely how I feel.

    I simply cannot stop thinking of her, and strangely, she gives me hope from beyond to believe that surely there are others like her who have the grace and compassion to understand that the reason we are all here, is to HELP ONE ANOTHER on this journey called LIFE.

    Particularly, the little children… bless you for taking the time to comment on my humble words! Pru

  133. 133.

    Devon

    Elie, you put it well; the ripple is great and still growing, just look at everyone who has been moved to reply to this blog post alone.

    Though I didn’t know her well, Molly was a hallmate of mine at the University of Portland. And as so many here have speculated, yes, she was indeed a wonderful person. I didn’t have to know her well to be able to see that. She is very much missed by countless people, and I hope her family and friends know that the thoughts of many more are with them.

  134. 134.

    Nina

    What a wonderful person Molly Hightower was and I’m sure many people will miss her. She is now in Heaven with all the Babies she cared so much about…God Bless you, Molly

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