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Molly Katherine McGrath (Cates) Maxey

On July 1, 2018, Molly Katherine McGrath (Cates) Maxey, of Sandpoint, Idaho, surrounded by her family, closed her eyes to this world and opened them to see the One she has loved and longed for. We are certain that she experienced unspeakable joy as she woke up in the presence of the Almighty God.

Molly was born March 30, 1942, in San Antonio, Texas, the only child of W. Thomas McGrath and Mada Bell Meadows McGrath.

Her spiritual foundation came from her mother who, as a single parent, became a missionary to the Latino community in San Antonio. Their home church was Huisache Avenue Baptist Church.

She married at a young age and had four children by the time she was 20. Her children marveled with her that it seemed they all grew up together. The family moved to North Idaho in 1972 and quickly became involved in serving the Lord in the Sandpoint community. Molly never met a stranger and loved unconditionally. She lived her life to the fullest, with more energy, personality, spunk and imagination than most of us. She loved Jesus, she prayed for souls to be saved and was bold in her faith. She was a prayer warrior who believed in miracles and was faithful to her Lord and Savior.

Molly was a fabulous cook who loved feeding everyone who came through her door. She played the piano by ear, loved the outdoors and loved all animals, of which she had many. Some of her fondest memories were with her children jigging for blueback at Garfield Bay in the early 1970s and picking huckleberries in various secret locations. Her heart longed to eventually move back to Alaska full-time, where she and Clarence had lived and frequently vacationed.

At the time of her passing, Molly and Clarence were raising three of her great-grandchildren, Dillon, Cole and Samuel, as their own. This only child had a total of 79 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her life verse was Romans 8:28- “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Clarence H. Maxey; children, Molly Kay (Alan) Foreman, Gail (Bill) Bostock, Jay (Jana) Cates and Jeff (Jennifer) Cates; grandchildren, Natali (Josh) Pellens, Kenneth L Pellens, Jon (Melissa) LeCroy, AJ (Dana) Allard, Britani (Mike) Bartle, Micah (Jackie) Allard, Brodey (Sarah) Allard, Janae (Buck) Lukezech, Jason (Angie) Cates, Blake Plaster, Kelly Plaster, Michael Plaster, Kyle (Katie) Bostock, Casey (Amy) Bostock, Shayla (Josh) Archer, Michelle Foreman, Lance Foreman and Mitchell Burrus; 50 great-grandchildren; and innumerable loved ones.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Mada Bell and Tom McGrath; her children’s father, Buford Cates, and her son-in-law, Andy Allard.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on July 21, 2018, at Lake City Church, 6000 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815. A social gathering with light snacks will follow.

Contact Gail Bostock, 208-610-9413