More than 750 friends, classmates and relatives " from as far away as Ireland " packed into St. Gall Catholic Church on Saturday to celebrate the life of 15-year-old Molly Lahlum, "put on Earth to make us happy."
Molly's older brother Pat, looking over the grieving congregation, said his sister would want everyone to cherish their happy memories.
"Although she loved to be the center of attention, Molly wouldn't want us to cry," he said. "Think about your happy memories. Remember that. It's way more important than the sad part of this day."
Molly died April 23, two weeks after she collapsed following a swim meet at the Carson Aquatic Center.
The high school sophomore was a member of the Douglas Dolfins and high school swim teams and Douglas High School Block D Club.
She was remembered for her blue eyes and ever-present smile.
"I'm convinced God gave Molly this infectious smile and put her on earth to make us happy," Pat Lahlum said. "I spent 15 wonderful years with my sister and I am going to remember every bit of it."
Douglas High math teacher Gaye Tyndall taught Molly in two classes this year.
"She instantly became the heart and spirit of any group," Tyndall said. "She was a teacher's dream."
Tyndall asked her students for their memories of Molly.
"Molly even smiled when she was sick," said one.
"Molly was a cheerleader for other people to succeed."
One student said Molly was the only person who spoke to her on her first day at Gardnerville Elementary School.
"Molly's love, smile and acceptance crossed all boundaries and reached anyone who needed it," Tyndall said.
"Molly Lahlum had a smile to remember," Tyndall said. "She was a beautiful, blonde, blue-eyed All-American girl, born on the Fourth of July. Thank you, Molly, for making me a better person."
Sarah Davenport and her mother, Susan Govan, talked about coaching Molly when she showed up at the Carson Valley Swim Center in 2001 to join the Douglas Dolfins.
"You meet a handful of people who have a consistent glow," Davenport said. "Molly will always be our consistent glow."
Her teammates called her "Mom."
"She knew how to make the best out of everything," Davenport said.
"Molly validated my existence daily. She loved me unconditionally," Govan said. "That's why I have a hole in my life."
"Thank you for sharing Molly with us," Govan said to her parents, Mary and Ray.
Molly's cousin Kevin Egan, from Dublin, Ireland, said she connected with her cousins despite their brief visits with each other.
"A tremendous bonding took place and Molly was at the center of everything," Egan said.
She was planning a summer trip to Spain and Ireland.
"You never made it to Dublin, Molly, but it's almost as if you did," he said. "Your extended family there is praying for you."
People began arriving at the church more than an hour before the noon service. Once the church pews were filled, guests stood three deep against the wall, sat on the floor near the altar and filled the gathering area outside the church sanctuary.
To celebrate Molly's love for life, her family chose Abba's "Dancing Queen" as the recessional to the service.
"Even though Molly had not yet reached her 16th birthday, she did not miss any opportunity to love life and live it to the fullest," said Father Paul McCollum.
"I have no doubt Molly would be overjoyed to see this gathering today, and see our love and support for her family and the celebration of her life," he said.
Alison Mains-Lay, Molly's sixth grade teacher at GES, had a request as she helped prepare the pastoral center for a reception after the service.
"When you write about Molly, say she bounced into a room and made your whole day better. She's a very special girl. You have a lot of kids in your life, but only a few are very special," Mains-Lay said.
SMILE TO REMEMBER MOLLY
You can shed tears that she's gone
Or you can smile because she lived.
You can close your eyes and pray she'll come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
Or you can be full of love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind
Be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she'd want
Smile, open your eyes, love and go on!
Rest in paradise, Molly.
Contributed by Carson McFadden
YOU CAN HELP
Donations may be made to a scholarship to be established in Molly's name and awarded annually to a senior swimmer. Mail to "Block D Scholarship Fund-Douglas High School," PO Box 1888, Minden, NV 89423. Specify "Molly Scholarship" on the memo line.
Friends have also scheduled a free car wash 8 a.m.-5 p.m. today at the Stratton Center, Gardnerville, to benefit the family. Donations will be accepted.
The family has been maintaining a Web site at www.caringbridge.org/visit/mollylahlum.
