Molly Rose (Morrison) Philosophos

March 15, 1964 - February 12, 2025

Surrounded by boundless love, Molly Rose (Morrison) Philosophos passed over into the spirit world on February 12, 2025. Preceding her in this journey were her father, Edwin Jeremiah “Jerry” Morrison, as well as her other parents, John Aristotle Philosophos and Joan Johnson Philosophos.

Molly is survived by her “doll,” the love of her life and husband of 36 years, Timothy Torger Philosophos, their three children, Torger John Philosophos (Ivy), Niko Jeremiah Philosophos (Carlin), and Demitra Rose Philosophos (Truman Faversham). She is also survived by her mother, Lynn VanVleet Morrison, her brothers, Michael John Morrison (Vicky) and James Jeremiah Morrison (Rebekah), brothers-in-law Anthony James Philosophos (Kim) and John Aristotle Philosophos, sister-in-law Elizabeth Philosophos Cooper (Scott), and many adoring nieces and nephews. Molly was thrilled to become a Yiayia with the birth of Torger and Ivy’s daughter, Vivian Rose, this past October. 

Family was a sacramental privilege for Molly. During her proofing of the family holiday bread, she wrapped the 12” spring-form pan with Joan’s purple scarf, just as Joan had always done. Molly applied this warmth and reverence, not only to the Philosophos family traditions, but to every aspect of motherhood, large and small. She was an exceptionally fierce and devoted mother, a role she loved beyond category. 

To be around Molly was to be lifted up in positivity and bathed in loving kindness. She was a committed, life-long learner who devoted herself to community service and many practices of self-improvement. When Tim and Molly met, she taped three new vocabulary words to her medicine cabinet each week. “Surmise” was one of those words the week they fell hopelessly in love. Some of the practices she selectively watered included yoga (with Adrian), meditation (with Tara Brach), nutritional awareness, keeping a daily gratitude journal, releasing negative emotions (no hard feelings), nurturing friendships, always assuming good intentions and, in her words, “to always, always, always, always make the most of each day.” 

Molly was a graduate of Arrowhead High School and her beloved University of Wisconsin (BBA, 1986). Molly and Tim married on October 29,1988, eight months after she swept him away on their first date, which was precisely when Tim knew he would marry her. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Aspen, CO, where she was director for guest services at the Hotel Jerome. She began her service career in Aspen as a volunteer advocate for women suffering from domestic or sexual abuse. In 1991, Molly and Tim began their family with the arrival of Torger at 8,140 feet, and the family moved to Milwaukee that same year. Molly took on general contractor responsibilities on two homes they restored as urban pioneers in Brewer’s Hill, where son Niko was born. The family next moved to Oak Park, IL, where they welcomed Molly’s mini-me, Demitra. Molly adored being a stay at home mom. She used to remark at how lucky she was to wake up, put on her ‘uniform’ (her swimsuit), and head to what she called the ‘country club’ (the community pool) for a day of sunshine, child's play, and visiting with neighbors. 

Molly served on the board of directors of Hephzibah Children’s Association (a therapeutic home for severely abused and neglected young children) for 10 years before becoming their director of development. While working there, she graduated from North Park University with a master’s degree in nonprofit management. In 2016, Tim and Molly moved to Madison, WI, where their three Badger children also lived, and she began her dream job as a fundraiser for the UW-Madison School of Business through the UW Foundation and Alumni Association. Her commitment to her craft and passion for the university translated into professional exceptionalism in her role as managing senior director of development. In truth, she’s loved every job she ever had, that’s just how she rolled, and her colleagues and clients could feel it. She was the kind of person everyone just wanted more of. Molly was admitted into the hospital a few days before her planned retirement in February.

The essence of her character was that she strove to come to each and every situation, no matter how difficult, with love in her heart. Her relatives and the many friends she embraced as family will deeply miss her unconditional love, wise counsel, and unbridled enthusiasm for life. She had an infectious personality, spreading light and kindness and, inevitably, getting others to hop on the sunny and kind bandwagon with her. She has secured a special place in the hearts of many. May her memory be eternal.

There will be a service at a time and place of your choosing. Please take a walk in the woods with a loved one, be as present as possible, and just be. 

Molly had profound gratitude for the many people who enriched her life. Join us to celebrate her at a ‘Good Golly, Miss Molly’ party, which will take place at Heiliger Huegel Ski Hill on June 28. Additional details on the event can be found at https://everloved.com/life-of/molly-philosophos/

Gifts in Molly’s memory may be made payable to the ‘UW Foundation’ with a note to direct as a tribute to the Women’s Philanthropy Council fund #112903697. Mail to UW Foundation, US Bank Lockbox, Box 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807. Gifts can also be made online at supportuw.org. Another enduring and impactful gift honoring her legacy would be to start your own daily gratitude journal.