Molly B. Demuth

The life of Molly Demuth, a New Philadelphia business leader, a respected member of the medical community, an active volunteer, a loving wife and mother came to a peaceful conclusion Wednesday morning, November 7, 2007 in her home, where she was surrounded by her family.Most recently, Molly has owned and operated a ladies fashion boutique, Runway Rags at New Philadelphia, where her warm, engaging eyes greeted ladies from around the region. Molly put her gift for personalizing fashion and properly accessorizing her clients to work with great success. Earning the smile of satisfaction from her customers gave Molly deep personal reward. Throughout her lengthy illness, Molly insisted on maintaining a busy schedule and adopted the motto “It’s business as usual” refusing to allow her terminal diagnosis to dominate her life. Instead, she taught her family, friends and strangers alike the value of a generous heart.Born in Mt. Carmel Hospital at Columbus, Ohio, September 14, 1958, Molly was a daughter of Margaret Bernhard Whalen of Bexley, Ohio, and the late Robert Whalen. She graduated high school from Bishop Hartley at Columbus, in 1976. She continued her education at The Ohio State University, graduating in 1980 with a degree in Nursing. Molly received her Masters of Nursing with a concentration in Trauma care in 1982 from Widener University of Pennsylvania. With this expertise Molly joined The Ohio State University Hospitals where she was responsible for designing the hospital’s trauma care center. While in Columbus, Molly was recognized as the Business Woman of the Year in 1985. In 1986, she was named the Career Woman of the Year by the Capital City’s Business and Professional Women’s Association. Molly met and fell in love with her husband, Jim Demuth, of New Philadelphia while attending a Buckeye Football Game. Such fans they were, even putting their wedding off so as not to conflict with the game schedule. The Demuth’s would have celebrated their twentieth anniversary this November 28. Molly joined the staff at Union Hospital as senior director of Administrative Services. For the next decade, she cultivated countless relationships with the medical community. Many physicians can trace their decision to make this area and Union Hospital their home to the relationships Molly fostered. She left the hospital as Vice President of Administrative Services with responsibilities for Risk Management and Quality Improvement. At the time of her death, Molly was still involved in and Physician recruitment activities for Union Hospital. Molly also consulted with Independent Physician’s Practice Management. In addition to her busy professional schedule, Molly found time to consult with Hospice of Tuscarawas, Stark and Carroll Counties. She was instrumental in earning accreditation with the Hospice Network of Ohio. Molly organized countless style shows and fundraisers for the benefit of local charities. She was President of the Ladies Auxiliary at Atwood Yacht Club, a member of the board of directors for AAA of Tuscarawas County, a member of The Ohio State University President’s Club, a supporter and volunteer of Main Street New Philadelphia, and was a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church at Dover where she previously served as bulletin editor.In the twilight of her life, Molly participated in an aggressive treatment schedule that few would want to endure. When questioned how she could continue with such steadfastness, Molly replied “If you had the children and husband that I have, you would want to go through it too.” Molly cherished every moment of every day with those she loved.Molly’s family, in addition to her mother and husband, include a son Brendan and a daughter, Jacqueline, both of the home; three sisters, Mary (Andy) Dick of Bexley, Ohio, Patty (Richard) McBride of Upper Arlington, Ohio Peggy (Will) Swank of Bakersfield, California; her father-in-law, John Richard (Dick) Demuth of New Philadelphia; sisters-in-law Marcia Demuth of New Philadelphia, Nancy (Scott) McDaniel of Marion, Ohio Dana Demuth of New Philadelphia and Carol (Robert) Paulenski of Westlake, Ohio, and a brother-in-law, Robert (Susan) Demuth of New Philadelphia.In addition to her father, Molly was preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Mildred P. Demuth, and brother-in-law, John Demuth. The Demuth family will receive friends Friday afternoon from 1-4 PM and Friday evening from 6-9PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where Christian Wake Services lead by Father Molly’s cousin, Father Tom Brosmer, will commence promptly at 9PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated by Father Ray LaRussa, Father Tom Brosmer, and Father William Arnold, Saturday, November 10, at 10:30AM in St. Joseph Catholic Church at Dover. Interment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia. A reception will follow in the St. Joseph School Parrish Hall at Dover. Those traveling to the cemetery will form the funeral procession at Linn-Hert-Geib Saturday morning where a brief prayer service will commence at 10 o’clock. Those who knew Molly will remember her sense of humor, the fun and joy she found in every situation and will take up her cause to spread joy in the lives of others. Throughout her life Molly was a booster of all things related to The Ohio State University. Accordingly, the family has established the Molly Demuth Memorial Scholarship through The OSU Alumni Club of Tuscarawas County, 1377 3rd Street SE New Philadelphia, OH 44663.Linn-Hert-Geib (330) 343-5506www.geibfuneral.com