Molly Irene (Parker) Culbert Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Molly Parker Culbert, 92, of Rossville, IL, passed away at 4:22 P.M. Friday September 23, 2016 at Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Living in Hoopeston. Molly was born on January 8, 1924 at Brookhill Farm in the rolling hills of Clarksville, Missouri near the banks of the Mississippi River. She lived an idyllic country childhood surrounded by gardens, fields, farm animals, and beautiful show horses that her father, Robert Parker, trained. It was there she learned from her mother, Maurine (Taylor) Parker, the skills and values of self-sufficiency and hard work. And it was there that she developed a deep and lasting appreciation for the gifts of the earth and an abiding love of nature. In her senior year of high school, Molly moved to Hoopeston, Illinois, where she worked for George Samaras at the Ritz restaurant. She married James Nicholas Culbert in 1942 just before he enlisted in the United States Army. While her husband served our country in the South Pacific, Molly began working with John and Mabel Culbert at the Rossville shop and greenhouses of Culbert the Florist which later grew into Flowers and Gifts by Molly Culbert. Molly became an icon in the area, working and serving the community until she was 90 years old. Her shop was an oasis of beauty that brought people in from a hundred miles in every direction. She enjoyed sharing stories and reflections through her weekly newspaper column, "Indoors and Outdoors by Molly Culbert". Aside from her family, her greatest joy came from the relationships she built with her customers and the people who worked with her. She knew generations of families and genuinely cared about them, sharing joy in their times of celebration and comfort in their times of loss. She was the adopted mother, sister, or daughter to many people who continued to come to "Molly's" even after they had long moved out of the area. She loved them all and will be missed and fondly remembered by those who knew her. Molly is survived by her three beloved children, James Charles Culbert of Rossville, IL, Bruce Parker (Tamara) Culbert of Flemming Island, FL, and Laura Annette (Mark) Hathaway of Rossville, IL, and six grandchildren of whom she was so proud: Gabriel John Culbert (Cecilia) and Roberts Parker Culbert, Mark Herman (Stephanie) Hathaway, Molly Elizabeth (Matthew) Goldstein, Katherine Irene Hathaway and James Alexander Hathaway. She is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren, Lucas Rainer Culbert, Calla Parker Culbert, Joseph River Culbert, Jack Parker Goldstein, Audrey Elizabeth Goldstein, and Maurine Olivia Hathaway; and one niece Rhoda Parker and her children Maurine Huber and John Sachs. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Robert Parker Jr., and one nephew, Glenn Parker. A visitation will be held 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. Sunday October 16, 2016, at the Rossville United Methodist Church 116 Maple St. Rossville, IL. A celebration of Molly’s life will begin at 4:00 P.M. Sunday October 16, 2016 at the church, with Pastor Matt Stump officiating. A family burial will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 207 S. Prospect Rd, Suite 1 Bloomington, IL. 61704 or to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation 1359 Broadway Suite 1509 NY, NY 10018

Molly Irene (Parker) Culbert

January 8, 1924 - September 23, 2016